Pulse Dosing of Antibiotic Enhances Killing of a Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm.

ABSTRACT: Biofilms are highly tolerant to antibiotics and underlie the recalcitrance of many chronic infections. We demonstrate that mature Staphylococcus aureus biofilms can be substantially sensitized to the treatment by pulse dosing of an antibiotic - in this case, oxacillin. Pulse (periodic) dosing was compared to continuous application of antibiotic and was studied in a novel in vitro flow system which allowed for robust biofilm growth and tractable pharmacokinetics of dosing regimens. Our results highlight that a subpopulation of the biofilm survives antibiotic without becoming resistant, a population we refer to as persister bacteria. When oxacillin was continuously present the persister level did not decline, but, importantly, providing correctly timed periodic breaks decreased

SUBMITTER: Meyer KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7680849 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature