Brunetti, Bryce; Escarate, Ashley; Conway, Matthew; Slezak, Cyrill; Kopp, Olga (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Kopp, Olga (Utah Valley University, Biology); Slezak, Cyrill (Utah Valley University, Physics)
Purpose:
This study evaluates the effect of electrohydraulic shockwaves on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. This system could be a great alternative to the use of antibiotics, and potentially life-saving technology that could save billions of dollars.
Background:
The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a global threat. Staphylococcus aureus is typically harmless, but this gram-positive species has become highly resistant and extremely pathogenic. Strains like MRSA and VRSA have the highest rate of drug resistance and are the leading cause of chronic bacterial infections via bacterial biofilms on medical devices. Biofilms are an aggregation of microbes that excrete an extracellular matrix providing an ideal environment for gene exchange and quorum sensing. Their complexity hinders the diffusion of antimicrobials. A proposed method to prevent device-associated infection is shockwave sterilization and therapy. A shockwave is a high-energy wave causing a sudden change in temperature, pressure and density in the medium. This study investigates the potential disruption of bacterial biofilms by electrohydraulic shockwaves.
Methods:
E. coli and S. aureus biofilms were grown on polystyrene plates. Biofilms were treated with shockwaves (0.19mJ/mm2, 300 pulses, 3 Hz) in a water bath and compared with those treated with Vancomycin. Cell viability was determined through XTT/menadione absorbance and specific biofilm formation through crystal violet absorbance.
Results:
Current testing has shown that electrohydraulic shockwaves have a bacteriostatic effect on biofilms. Other finding show potential for shockwaves to increase bacterial susceptibility to lower levels of antibiotics.
Conclusions:
Device-associated infections are a serious threat to patients' health. The diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics in treating and preventing infections along with evolution of mass resistance in bacteria have given rise to the term "post-antibiotic era." The better understanding of electrohydraulic shockwaves bacteriostatic effect could lead to more effective treatments for antibiotic resistant bacteria such as S. aureus.