Document Type
Article
Journal Title
Current Microbiology
Publication Date
2024
Volume
81
Abstract
Oxacillin (bactericidal) and tetracycline (bacteriostatic) are clinically relevant antibiotics that are routinely prescribed to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections but not conventionally used in combination. There is an urgent need for treatment regimens that can act upon biofilms during infection, associated with chronic infections on indwelling devices, as well as acute planktonic (systemic) infection. Here we show that in an in vitro model oxacillin and tetracycline act synergistically against S. aureus UAMS-1 biofilms, reducing the concentration of both antibiotics necessary to eradicate an established biofilm. Using an in vivo zebrafish larval infection model with S. aureus NewHG, they display improved bacterial clearance compared to each drug alone and can counteract a loss of host phagocytes, an important innate defence against S. aureus. In these cases, the bacteriostatic nature of tetracycline enhances rather than dampens the bactericidal action of oxacillin, although an exact mechanism remains to be elucidated. We suggest a dual therapy could be of clinical use against biofilm-forming S. aureus and has a potential use in patients with a compromised immune system.
MeSH Headings
Biofilms, Oxacillin, Staphylococcus aureus, Animals, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Zebrafish, Tetracycline, Staphylococcal Infections, Drug Synergism, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Humans, Disease Models, Animal
DOI Link
ISSN
1432-0991
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Tooke, Amy K.; Hodges, Rebecca E.; Pyrah, Josie F.; Bayles, Kenneth W.; Renshaw, Stephen A.; and Foster, Simon J., "Tetracycline and Oxacillin Act Synergistically on Biofilms and Display Increased Efficacy In Vivo Against Staphylococcus aureus" (2024). Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology. 110.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/com_pathmicro_articles/110