Effects of Efflux Pump Inhibitors on Colistin Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2016 Apr 22;60(5):3215-8. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00248-16. Print 2016 May.

Abstract

We tested the effects of various putative efflux pump inhibitors on colistin resistance in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Addition of 10 mg/liter cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) to the test medium could significantly decrease the MICs of colistin-resistant strains. Time-kill assays showed CCCP could reverse colistin resistance and inhibit the regrowth of the resistant subpopulation, especially in Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia These results suggest colistin resistance in Gram-negative bacteria can be suppressed and reversed by CCCP.

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii / drug effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Colistin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Colistin

Grants and funding

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.