Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol.113, No.6, 1530-1539, 2012
Bacteriophages are synergistic with bacterial interference for the prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation on urinary catheters
Aims We hypothesized that pretreating urinary catheters with benign Escherichia coli HU2117 plus an antipseudomonal bacteriophage (FE2005-A) would prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation on catheters a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Methods and Results Silicone catheter segments were exposed to one of four pretreatments (sterile media; E. coli alone; phage alone; E. coli plus phage), inoculated with P. aeruginosa and then incubated up to 72 h in human urine before rinsing and sonicating to recover adherent bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa adherence to catheters was almost 4 log10 units lower when pretreated with E. coli plus phage compared to no pretreatment (P < 0.001) in 24-h experiments and more than 3 log10 units lower in 72-h experiments (P < 0.05). Neither E. coli nor phage alone generated significant decreases. Conclusions The combination of phages with a pre-established biofilm of E. coli HU2117 was synergistic in preventing catheter colonization by P. aeruginosa. Significance and Impact of the Study We describe a synergistic protection against colonization of urinary catheters by a common uropathogen. Escherichia coli-coated catheters are in clinical trials; adding phage may offer additional benefit.