OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify whether the epithelial lining fluid components inhibit amikacin-mediated bacterial killing.

METHODS: Two amikacin-susceptible (minimum inhibitory concentrations of 2 and 8 mg/L) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were exposed in vitro to amikacin concentrations up to 976 mg/L in the presence of an acidic pH, mucin and/or surfactant as a means of simulating the epithelial lining fluid, the site of bacterial infection in pneumonia. Pharmacodynamic modelling was used to describe associations between amikacin concentrations, bacterial killing and emergence of resistance.

RESULTS: In the presence of broth alone, there was rapid and extensive (> 6 - log10) bacterial killing, with emergence of resistance identified in amikacin concentrations < 976 mg/L. In contrast, the rate and extent of bacterial killing was reduced (≤ 5 - log10) when exposed to an acidic pH and mucin. Surfactant did not appreciably impact the bacterial killing or resistance emergence when compared with broth alone for either isolate. The combination of mucin and an acidic pH further reduced the rate of bacterial killing, with the maximal bacterial killing occurring 24 h following initial exposure compared with approximately 4-8 h for either mucin or an acidic pH alone.