The effect of antibiotics on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm production

<p>Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become an increasing burden worldwide. A highly resistant species is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a nosocomial pathogen that produces a biofilm that enhances its resistance. This project examined the possibility of using bacteriocin, an internal protective toxin produced by some species of bacteria, as a potential treatment for resistant bacteria. In this study, standard broad spectrum antibiotics were used to treat P. aeruginosa to prevent biofilm formation. The biofilm was then analyzed to determine if the biofilm is inhibited or facilitated by each treatment. Optimal concentrations of antibiotics were determined to be effective at a concentration of 0.07mg/mL for gentamicin, rifampicin, and polymyxin B. These antibiotics were used to test 48 clinical samples obtained in 2006. Out of the 48 isolates, a Pseudomonas strain of unknown origin was resistant to both gentamicin and rifampicin (p<0.001). Extraction of Colicin V from E. coli and Pyocin S2 from P. aeruginosa was unsuccessful. Nanodrop analysis determined that there was minimal protein in each sample (concentrations between 0.196-3.118mg/mL). In the future, bacteriocin extractions should be successfully performed, and analysis of further biofilm assays will determine the overall benefit of the treatment. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2015

Author dc:creator

• Turpin, Courtney Paige

• Antibiotics
• Bacteriocin
• Biofilm
• Psedumonomas aeruginosa
• Resistance
• Bacterial Infections and Mycoses
• Pathogenic Microbiology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2015 Courtney Paige Turpin

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/323

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1321