McLean, Robert JCPowers, Shelbie2023-05-192023-05-192021-05Powers, S. (2021). Synergistic effects of monoculture biofilm dispersion and antibiotic treatment (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.https://hdl.handle.net/10877/16823Bacterial biofilms have been identified as the causative agent of many infections, including catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). While in a biofilm state, bacterial cells are less susceptible to antibiotic therapy. However, once released from a biofilm, antimicrobial susceptibility returns. In an aim to increase antibiotic efficacy of CAUTI treatment, uropathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Escherichia coli F11 biofilms were cultured on silicone disks, modeling the surface of urinary catheters. These biofilms were then treated with two potential dispersal agents and challenged with antibiotics. Antibiotics selected were tobramycin and nitrofurantoin due to their clinical use against urinary tract infections. Both potential dispersal agents showed the most effect when used to treat P. aeruginosa biofilms cultured in Luria-Bertani broth (LB). There was no increased dispersal or improved antibiotic efficacy after treatment of modified artificial urine media (mAUM)-cultured P. aeruginosa biofilms.Text63 pages1 file (.pdf)enBacterial biofilmsDispersionThesis