D-amino acids do not inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation

Wee Tin K. Kao, Mitchell Frye, Patricia Gagnon, Joseph P. Vogel, Richard Chole

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a known biofilm-forming organism, is an opportunistic pathogen that plays an important role in chronic otitis media, tracheitis, cholesteatoma, chronic wounds, and implant infections. Eradication of biofilm infections has been a challenge because the biofilm phenotype provides bacteria with a protective environment from the immune system and antibiotics; thus, there has been great interest in adjunctive molecules that may inhibit biofilm formation or cause biofilm dispersal. There are reports that D-amino acids may inhibit biofilms. In this study, we test the ability of various D-amino acids to inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation in vitro. Study Design: We evaluated the effect of D-alanine (10 mM), D-leucine (10 mM), D-methionine (10 mM), D-tryptophan (10 mM), and D-tyrosine (10 uM and 1 mM) on biofilm formation in two commonly studied laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa: PAO1 and PA14. Methods: Biofilms were grown in 24-well and 96-well tissue culture plates, documented photographically and stained with 0.1% crystal violet and solubilized in 33% glacial acetic acid for quantification. Results: In strains PAO1 and PA14, the addition of D-amino acids did not result in an inhibitory effect on biofilm growth in 24-well plates. Repeating the study in 96-well plates confirmed our findings that D-amino acids do not inhibit biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: We conclude that D-amino acids only slow the production of biofilms rather than completely prevent biofilm formation; therefore, D-amino acids represent a poor option for potential clinically therapeutic interventions. Level of Evidence: N/A.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4-9
Number of pages6
JournalLaryngoscope investigative otolaryngology
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

Keywords

  • D-amino acids
  • P. aeruginosa
  • biofilms
  • chronic biofilm infections

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'D-amino acids do not inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this