Effects of colistin and tigecycline on multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii biofilms: advantages and disadvantages of their combination

We investigated the antimicrobial effects of colistin (CST) and tigecycline (TGC), either alone or in combination, on biofilm-dispersed and biofilm-embedded multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) strains R1 and R2. The bacterial growth of biofilm-dispersed MDRAB was inhibited by CST or TGC. However, the inhibitory effects were attenuated by a combination of CST and low concentrations of TGC. The bactericidal effects of CST, but not TGC, were observed on biofilm-dispersed MDRAB. Notably, the bactericidal effects increased with a combination of CST and high concentrations of TGC, whereas they were attenuated with the combination of CST and low concentrations of TGC. Although biofilm formation by MDRAB decreased with increasing concentrations of CST or TGC, there was no complete disruption of the biofilms. Additionally, the biofilms increased with a combination of 1–2 μg/mL CST and TGC at 2 μg/mL and 2–4 μg/mL for strains R1 and R2, respectively. Biofilm-embedded MDRAB was eradicated with CST, but not TGC. Notably, the eradication effects increased with a combination of CST and high concentrations of TGC, whereas attenuation happened with the combination of CST and low concentrations of TGC. These results provide information on the combined effects of CST and TGC in the treatment of biofilm-associated MDRAB infection.