2003/01/01 by Rose Jung, Susan L. Pendland, Steven J. Martin
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Medicine · #Hemoglobin structure and function #Medical and Biological Ozone Research #Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
paper · doi:10.1159/000069772
crossref issued 2003/01/01 · crossref published 2003/01/01 · crossref published-print 2003/01/01 · openalex publication_date 2003/01/01 · crossref created 2003/04/25 · crossref published-online 2003/05/07 · crossref deposited 2025/04/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
BACKGROUND: Perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) is administered directly into the lungs of critically ill patients during partial liquid ventilation. This adjunctive therapy facilitates respiratory support in lung-injured patients and potentially interacts with pathogens in patients with pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction of PFOB with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: The antimicrobial activity of PFOB against P. aeruginosa was determined using modified time-kill methods. PFOB concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 90 and 99% were studied. Electron microscopy was used to evaluate morphologic changes following PFOB exposure to the organism. RESULTS: Viable counts at baseline were approximately 1 log(10) lower when P. Aeruginosa was exposed to PFOB compared to controls. Significant bacterial killing occurred over the first 2 h for the 90% (p = 0.023) and 99% (p = 0.045) PFOB concentrations versus control. Electron microscopy demonstrated that PFOB disturbs the bacterial cell wall, and produces vacuolizations within the cell. CONCLUSIONS: PFOB kills P. aeruginosa in a concentration-dependent manner through disruption of the cell architecture.