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The University of Southampton
Global Network for Anti-Microbial Resistance and Infection Prevention

NAMRIP researchers show success of novel nitric oxide donor in treatment of biofilm infections

Published: 5 January 2017
Non-typeable H. influenzae biofilm
Non-typeable H. influenzae biofilm on epithelial cells

NAMRIP researchers have published their research showing the effectiveness of a novel nitric oxide donor in enhancing antibiotic treatment of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilm infections.

Non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi) and S. pneumoniae are important opportunistic pathogens in the human respiratory tract and play a major role in a number of diseases. Both bacteria are responsible for causing otitis media (ear infection), one of the most common infections in young children with 80% of children experiencing acute otitis media by the age of 3, and a further 40% having repeat occurrences by the age of 7. Despite concerns over the development of antibiotic resistance otitis media remains the primary reason from paediatric antibiotic prescription. The persistence of these infections is often associated with biofilm formation. Biofilms are groups of bacteria surrounded by a self-produced substance that protects them from the human immune system and antibiotic treatment. Nitric oxide has been shown to disperse bacterial biofilms, however, the use of spontaneous donors or the gaseous form could cause undesirable side effects in patients.

Novel nitric oxide donor compound PYRRO-C3D
Novel nitric oxide donor compound PYRRO-C3D

To address this, the team, in collaboration with chemists from University of Wollongong, have developed a modified antibiotic that only releases nitric oxide when it comes into contact with bacteria. Using an advanced model that allows assessment of biofilms formed on patient epithelial cells the team demonstrated that the novel compound increased the effectiveness of the antibiotic azithromycin against NTHi biofilms through a unique signalling pathway, and that it also directly killed S. pneumoniae biofilms.

The paper investigating treatment of NTHi biofilms was published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, and is available to download from eprints.

The paper investigating treatment of S. pneumoniae biofilms was published in the journal Nitric Oxide, and is available to download from eprints.

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