Disrupting the Status Quo: Nitric Oxide’s Role in Tackling Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

Background: Antibiotic resistance in gram-negative organisms,particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, presents a formidable challengein healthcare settings due to its biofilm-forming ability. This studyinvestigates the influence of nitric oxide (NO) on P. aeruginosa biofilms,with a focus on the expression of biofilm-related genes (pslA, pelA,and algD).Method: 71 isolates of P. aeruginosa were obtained from clinicalspecimens and subjected to biofilm formation assays and exposureto NO using sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a donor. Gene expressionanalysis was conducted using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR.A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to visualise biofilmmorphology.Results: SNP exposure disrupted biofilm formation in most isolates,although some showed resilience. SEM revealed significant biofilmdisruption post-NO treatment. Gene expression analysis indicated variedresponses to NO, with some isolates showing increased expression ofbiofilm-related genes while others exhibiting downregulation.Conclusion: Albeit nitric oxide disrupted P. aeruginosa biofilms, itsimpact on gene expression varies among isolates. Understandingthese dynamics could help develop targeted therapeutic strategiesfor biofilm-associated infections. How to cite this article:Abdulrahman Z T, Al-Mathkhury H J F. Disruptingthe Status Quo: Nitric Oxide’s Role in TacklingPseudomonas aeruginosa Infections. J CommunDis. 2024;56(4):124-131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202482