Bactericidal effect of extracorporeal shock waves on Staphylococcus aureus

Despite considerable knowledge about the effects of shock waves on eukaryot ic soft tissues, no data are available concerning their effect on prokaryot ic micro-organisms. In vitro studies on the bactericidal effect of eutracor poreal shock waves on staphylococci were performed with energy levels that are standard for the disintegration of calculi. Suspensions containing 10(4 )-10(5) cfu of Staphylococcus aureus/ml were sealed in plastic tubes and ex posed to shock waves, resulting in a mean decrease of 3.1 log(10). Whereas impulse rates of greater than or equal to 350 resulted in a decrease of cfu /ml equalling the detection limit, lower numbers of impulses did not result in an appreciable bactericidal effect, The bactericidal effect of extracor poreal shock waves might provide the basis for the development of novel the rapeutic strategies for bacterial infections.