D. Sofer et al., 'Subinhibitory' erythromycin represses production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectins, autoinducer and virulence factors, CHEMOTHERA, 45(5), 1999, pp. 335-341
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is preceded by selective adhesion of the b
acteria to the host target cells via diverse adhesins, including lectins. T
his step enables maximal damage to the target host cells by the bacterially
secreted injurious toxins and enzymes. The production of both lectins and
many of the virulence factors is positively controlled by transcription act
ivators including signaling autoinducers (N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones). We
show in this communication that erythromycin at subminimal growth inhibito
ry concentrations simultaneously suppresses the production of P. aeruginosa
hemagglutinins (including lectins), protease, hemolysin and homoserine lac
tone autoinducers. The antibiotic-treated bacteria also show reduced virule
nce to mice, endorsing clinical observations that indicate the efficiency o
f low-dose erythromycin treatment of persistent drug-resistant P. aeruginos
a infections.