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"We aimed to investigate whether low-intensity continuous and pulsed wave ultrasound (US) irradiation can inhibit the formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, for potential application in the treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI)" Koibuchi et al (2021).

Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm

Abstract:

Purpose: We aimed to investigate whether low-intensity continuous and pulsed wave ultrasound (US) irradiation can inhibit the formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, for potential application in the treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI).

Methods: S. epidermidis biofilms that formed on the bottom surfaces of 6-well plates were irradiated on the bottom surface using the sound cell incubator system for different intervals of time.

Results: US irradiation with continuous waves for 24 h notably inhibited biofilm formation (p < 0.01), but the same US irradiation for 12 h had no remarkable effect. Further, double US irradiation with pulsed waves for 20 min inhibited biofilm formation by 33.6%, nearly two-fold more than single US irradiation, which reduced it by 17.9%.

Conclusion: US irradiation of a lower intensity (ISATA = 6-29 mW/cm2) than used in a previous study and lower than recommended by the Food and Drug Administration shows potential for preventing CRBSI caused by bacterial biofilms.


Reference:

Koibuchi H, Fujii Y, Sato’o Y, Mochizuki T, Yamada T, Cui L, Taniguchi N. Inhibitory effects of ultrasound irradiation on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm. J Med Ultrason (2001). 2021 Aug 19. doi: 10.1007/s10396-021-01120-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34410547.