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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, May 1999, p. 1211-1214, Vol. 43, No. 5
0066-4804/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Ultrasonic Enhancement of Antibiotic Action on Escherichia coli Biofilms: an In Vivo Model

Andrea M. Rediske,1 Beverly L. Roeder,2 Maren K. Brown,1 Jared L. Nelson,3 Rachel L. Robison,1 David O. Draper,4 G. Bruce Schaalje,5 Richard A. Robison,1 and William G. Pitt3,*

Department of Microbiology,1 Department of Animal Science,2 Department of Chemical Engineering,3 Department of Physical Education,4 and Department of Statistics,5 Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

Received 21 December 1998/Returned for modification 4 February 1999/Accepted 5 March 1999

Biofilm infections are a common complication of prosthetic devices in humans. Previous in vitro research has determined that low-frequency ultrasound combined with aminoglycoside antibiotics is an effective method of killing biofilms. We report the development of an in vivo model to determine if ultrasound enhances antibiotic action. Two 24-h-old Escherichia coli (ATCC 10798) biofilms grown on polyethylene disks were implanted subcutaneously on the backs of New Zealand White female rabbits, one on each side of the spine. Low-frequency (28.48-kHz) and low-power-density (100- and 300-mW/cm2) continuous ultrasound treatment was applied for 24 h with and without systemic administration of gentamicin. The disks were then removed, and the number of viable bacteria on each disk was determined. At the low ultrasonic power used in this study, exposure to ultrasound only (no gentamicin) caused no significant difference in bacterial viability. In the presence of antibiotic, there was a significant reduction due to 300-mW/cm2 ultrasound (P = 0.0485) but no significant reduction due to 100-mW/cm2 ultrasound. Tissue damage to the skin was noted at the 300-mW/cm2 treatment level. Further development of this technique has promise in treatment of clinical implant infections.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: 350M Clyde Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602. Phone: (801) 378-2589. Fax: (801) 378-7799. E-mail: pitt{at}byu.edu.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, May 1999, p. 1211-1214, Vol. 43, No. 5
0066-4804/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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