Aim: This study proposes the impregnation of Foley catheters with chlorpromazine (CPZ) to control biofilm formation by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials & methods: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for CPZ and the effect of CPZ on biofilm formation were assessed. Afterward, biofilm formation and the effect of ciprofloxacin and meropenem (at MIC) on mature biofilms grown on CPZ-impregnated catheters were evaluated. Results: CPZ MIC range was 39.06-625 mg/l. CPZ significantly reduced (p < 0.05) biofilm formation in vitro and on impregnated catheters. In addition, CPZ-impregnation potentiated the antibiofilm activity of ciprofloxacin and meropenem. Conclusion: These findings bring perspectives for the use of CPZ as an adjuvant for preventing and treating catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
Keywords: biofilms; catheter impregnation; chlorpromazine; efflux-pump inhibitor; uropathogens.