In vitro activities of cellulase and ceftazidime, alone and in combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

BACKGROUND: Biofilms are a main pathogenicity feature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and has a significant role in antibiotic resistance and persistent infections in humans. We investigated the in vitro activities of antibiotic ceftazidime and enzyme cellulase, either alone or in combination against biofilms of P. aeruginosa. RESULTS: Both ceftazidime and cellulase significantly decreased biofilm formation in all strains in a dose-dependent manner. Combination of enzyme at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 U/mL tested with 1/16× MIC of antibiotic led to a significant reduction in biofilm biomass. Cellulase showed a significant detachment effect on biofilms at three concentrations of 10 U/mL, 5 U/mL, and 2.5 U/mL. The MIC, MBC, and MBEC values of ceftazidime were 2 to 4 µg/mL, 4 to 8 µg/mL, and 2048 to 8192 µg/mL. When combined with cellulase, the MBECs of antibiotic showed a significant decrease from 32- to 128-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of the ceftazidime and the cellulase had significant anti-biofilm effects, including inhibition of biofilm formation and biofilm eradication in P. aeruginosa. These data suggest that glycoside hydrolase therapy as a novel strategy has the potential to enhance the efficacy of antibiotics and helps to resolve biofilm-associated wound infections caused by this pathogen. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02411-y.