Effect of furanone on experimentally induced Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation: In vitro study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of furanone as a quorum sensing inhibitor with an antibiotic agent on experimentally induced Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation in an in vitro model.Materials and methodsBacterial cultures on agar plates and induction of biofilm formations were done in four different conditions; P. aeruginosa only (group 1), P. aeruginosa + ciprofloxacin (group 2), P. aeruginosa + furanone (group 3), and P. aeruginosa + furanone + ciprofloxacin (group 4). After biofilm formation on a silicone tympanostomy tube with P. aeruginosa was established, they were treated with ciprofloxacin, furanone, and ciprofloxacin with furanone respectively. All agar plates were processed for colony counts 1 day after incubation, and silicone tympanostomy tubes were observed using scanning electron microscopy 2 days after incubation. Any changes visualized on the biofilm lining the silicone tympanostomy tubes after treatment initiation were evaluated again 2 days after each treatment.ResultsThere was no bacterial growth on the agar plate in group 4 compared to other groups and the formations of a biofilm on the surface of silicone tympanostomy tubes in group 4 were devoid. Little change to the original biofilm overlying the silicone tympanostomy tubes after each treatment was noted.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that furanone may have a role as a QSI and can be helpful in preventing biofilm formation with ciprofloxacin in experimentally induced P. aeruginosa biofilms based on an in vitro model.