Infection and Drug Resistance (Aug 2020)
In-vitro Investigation of Antibiotics Efficacy Against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Biofilms and Antibiotic Induced Biofilm Formation at Sub-Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Ciprofloxacin
Abstract
Zara Rafaque,1,2 Nasira Abid2 ,* Nida Liaqat,2 Pashmina Afridi,2,3 Saima Siddique,2 Safia Masood,2 Sehrish Kanwal,2 Javid Iqbal Dasti2 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; 2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan; 3Department of Allied Health Sciences, Iqra National University, Peshawar, Pakistan*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Javid Iqbal Dasti Email [email protected]: Community-acquired urinary tract infections are associated with significant morbidity, and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) alone causes 90% of urinary tract infections. This bacterium retains a diverse armament of virulence factors including fimbria, hemolysins, and siderophores production. In a post invasion scenario, formation of intracellular communities mimic biofilm-like characteristics and are linked to recurrent urinary tract infections. We investigated the effects of different frontline antibiotics on the formation, inhibition, and eradication of biofilms of virulent UPEC strains.Materials and Methods: A total of 155 UPEC strains were scrutinized for various virulence factors including gelatinase, cell surface hydrophobicity, hemagglutination, and serum bactericidal activity. Biofilm formation was confirmed by three different methods: Congo red agar, test tube, and tissue culture plate method. Biofilm inhibition and eradication assays were performed according to the standard protocols. Topographical analysis of biofilms was done by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM).Results: Out of 155 strains, 113 (73%) were strong biofilm formesr, while 37 (24%) produced biofilms at moderate level. Significant differences were observed between MICs of planktonic cells (MIC-p) and MICs of UPEC biofilms (MIC-b). Among tested frontline antibiotics, levofloxacin successfully inhibited biofilms at a concentration of 32 μg/mL, while trimethoprim eradicated biofilms at higher concentrations (512– 1024 μg/mL). Ciprofloxacin treatment at sub-MIC level significantly enhanced biofilm formation (P< 0.05).Conclusion: The majority of UPEC strains are strong biofilm formers and show higher tolerance towards frontline antibiotics in biofilm form. We observed significant inhibitory effects of levofloxacin (32 μg/mL) on UPEC biofilms, while treatment with sub-minimal concentrations of ciprofloxacin significantly enhanced biofilm formation. Out of all tested antibiotics, trimethoprim (512– 1024 μg/mL) eradicated UPEC biofilms.Keywords: biofilms, MIC, MBEC, sub-MIC, ciprofloxacin, uropathogenic Escherichia coli
