synergism between 1-megahertz therapeutic ultrasound pl us ceftaz-idime on growth of pseudomonasaeruginosa

objective: the effect of ceftazidime on pseudomonas aeruginosa, with or without application of 1 mhz therapeutic ultrasound, was studied. method: an aqueous suspension of microorganisms in a sterile, sealed plate was placed in an ultrasonic tank operating at 1 mhz. different power outputs were used. after desired time of exposure to the ultrasound, each sample was plated separately and after incubation, the number of colonies was counted. results: results showed that ultrasound in combination with smics of ceftazidime was much more lethal to this bacterium than either of the treatments alone. the mechanism by which ultrasound enhances antibiotic action is due to the induction of uptake of antibiotic by perturbing or stressing the membrane. conclusion: this application of ultrasound may be useful for expanding the number of drugs available for treating localized infections by rendering bacteria susceptible to normally ineffective antibiotics.