Bacteriostatic activity of a perfluorooctyl bromide emulsion and its interaction with antibiotics against selected bacterial strains in vitro

AIMS: Antibiotic resistance is an increasing global public health concern. Perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) has demonstrated in-vitro bacteriostatic activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but it is unknown whether this effect is maintained when PFOB is emulsified (PFOBe). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PFOBe on the growth of antibiotic-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS AND RESULTS: Time-kill assays were performed to evaluate the activity of meropenem, gentamicin, oxacillin, PFOBe, and antibiotic-PFOBe combinations against resistant strains (K. pneumoniae ATCC BAA-2814, P. aeruginosa CeMoP 501, and S. aureus ATCC 33591) and antibiotic-susceptible strains (K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and S. aureus ATCC 25923). Morphological changes were assessed using scanning electron microscopy. PFOBe showed bacteriostatic activity against all tested strains and a limited enhancement of the antibiotics when combined. Structural alterations in bacterial cell walls were observed depending on the strain and treatment combination. CONCLUSIONS: PFOBe exhibits bacteriostatic activity and enhances against both resistant and susceptible bacterial strains, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant antimicrobial strategy.