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AssigneeSyracuse University
InventorsDacheng Ren, Mi Zhang, Tagbo Niepa, Jeremy Gilbert
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A system and method for treating persister cells with an electrochemical process, alone or in combination with antibiotics. Weak electric currents are used to effectively eliminate persister cells and the efficacy can be further improved through synergistic effects with antibiotics. The method may be adapted for novel therapies of chronic infections and strategies to control persistent biofouling. The system has a broad spectrum applications in treating chronic and drug resistant infections, such as those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and may also be used for decontamination of medical devices.
An electrochemical method for killing bacterial persister cells, comprising the step of applying a constant, direct electric current using a electrode to a population of bacterial persister cells for up to one hour, wherein said current is about 75 microamperes per square centimeter and said electrode is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and graphite.
A method for treating an item comprising persister cells in a biofilm, comprising the steps of:
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