Antibiotics show improved effectiveness in flowing fluids

New research suggests that some difficult infections may be more susceptible to antibiotics than previously believed. Scientists from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign used a special device that mimics how fluids flow in the body, leading to different results than traditional lab tests. The study focused on the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known for being highly resistant to treatment. The researchers tested antibiotics at various fluid flow rates. They found that while the bacteria thrived with little to no flow, the antibiotics were much more effective at higher flow rates. This reflects how antibiotics actually work in the bloodstream and other body fluids where they need to move to combat infections. Traditionally, bacteria are studied in lab settings that do not replicate the body's dynamics. The Illinois team used microfluidic devices, which allow precise control over fluid flow. This approach can enhance how scientists screen and test antibiotics. The research showed that antibiotic effectiveness increased significantly with higher flow rates. When there was no flow, the antibiotics only affected bacteria at the beginning of the fluid path. However, as the flow increased, the antibiotics killed more bacteria, eventually eliminating them at the highest flow rates. Joe Sanfilippo, the lead professor, pointed out that typical lab tests do not consider fluid movement, which could lead to misjudging how effective a treatment might be. He emphasized the importance of better testing to ensure effective treatments are identified. The research team plans to explore other antibiotic-resistant bacteria and different antibiotics next. They aim to further investigate why antibiotics work better in flowing fluids. The study was supported by the University of Illinois and the National Institutes of Health and has been published in the journal Science Advances.