Combination of Azithromycin and Gentamicin for Efficient Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

Abstract

Abstract Background Trans-translation is a ribosome rescue system that plays an important role in bacterial tolerance to environmental stresses. It is absent in animals, making it a potential treatment target. However, its role in antibiotic tolerance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains unknown. Methods The role and activity of trans-translation during antibiotic treatment were examined with a trans-translation–deficient strain and a genetically modified trans-translation component gene, respectively. In vitro assays and murine infection models were used to examine the effects of suppression of trans-translation. Results We found that the trans-translation system plays an essential role in P. aeruginosa tolerance to azithromycin and multiple aminoglycoside antibiotics. We further demonstrated that gentamicin could suppress the azithromycin-induced activation of trans-translation. Compared with each antibiotic individually, gentamicin and azithromycin combined increased the killing efficacy against planktonic and biofilm-associated P. aeruginosa cells, including a reference strain PA14 and its isogenic carbapenem-resistance oprD mutant, the mucoid strain FRD1, and multiple clinical isolates. Furthermore, the gentamicin-azithromycin resulted in improved bacterial clearance in murine acute pneumonia, biofilm implant, and cutaneous abscess infection models. Conclusions Combination treatment with gentamicin and azithromycin is a promising strategy in combating P. aeruginosa infections.