Diffusion and activity of antibiotics against Burkholderia pseudomallei biofilms

The diffusion and activity of ceftazidime (CAZ), imipenem (IPM) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) against Burkholderia pseudomallei biofilms were comparatively tested using the high biofilm-producing strain B. pseudomallei 377 and the biofilm-defective mutant B. pseudomallei M6. Biofilms were generated by inoculation of bacteria on polycarbonate membranes placed on the surface of tryptic soy agar plates. The results showed that diffusion of TMP/SMX through B. pseudomallei biofilms was similar for both strains. However, diffusion of CAZ and IPM was significantly faster through strain M6 biofilm in comparison with strain 377 biofilm. The viabilities of strain 377 biofilm were significantly higher than those observed with strain M6 for all antibiotics challenged at 4 h, suggesting that the biofilm-forming capacity may be involved in antibiotic susceptibilities in B. pseudomallei. These results re-emphasise the importance of biofilm for antibiotic resistance in B. pseudomallei.