Abstract
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<sub>10</sub> 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.
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