Published online Jun 16, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i17.4026
Peer-review started: March 28, 2023
First decision: April 11, 2023
Revised: April 21, 2023
Accepted: May 12, 2023
Article in press: May 12, 2023
Published online: June 16, 2023
Processing time: 75 Days and 22.4 Hours
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an important cause of nosocomial infections, and contributes to high morbidity and mortality, especially in intensive care units. P. aeruginosa is considered a 'critical' category bacterial pathogen by the World Health Organization to encourage an urgent need for research and development of new antibiotics against its infections.
To investigate the effectiveness of baicalin combined with tobramycin therapy as a potential treatment method for carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) infections.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression levels of drug-resistant genes (including VIM, IMP and OprD2) and biofilm-related genes (including algD, pslA and lasR) in CRPA that confer resistance to tobramycin, baicalin and tobramycin combined with baicalin (0, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1MIC).
There was a correlation between biofilm formation and the expression of biofilm-related genes. In addition, VIM, IMP, OprD2, algD, pslA and lasR that confer biofilm production under different concentrations in CRPA were significantly correlated. The synergistic effect of baicalin combined with tobramycin was a significant down-regulation of VIM, IMP, algD, pslA and lasR.
Baicalin combined with tobramycin therapy can be an effective treatment method for patients with CRPA infection.
Core Tip: Baicalin combined with tobramycin therapy shows potential as an effective treatment method for patients with carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, as it significantly down-regulates drug-resistant and biofilm-related genes.