Abstract:
The use of irrigation therapy as an adjunctive treatment for upper respiratory tract infections is attracting interest. This is particularly notable when the effectiveness of conventional antibiotic therapy is reduced. The aim of this study is investigation of effects of sodium bicarbonate, boric, medium mineralization highly carbonated water, alone and in combination with Ciprofloxacin, on the architecture and intensity of biofilm formation by representative upper respiratory tract microbiota. Materials and Method. Multispecies biofilms consisting of Lactobacillus sporogenes co-cultured with Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 or Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 were used as experimental models. Biofilm formation was quantified using crystal violet staining and spectrophotometric analysis, while structural characteristics were assessed by light microscopy and morphometric image analysis. Results. Ciprofloxacin at minimum inhibitory concentrations significantly increased biofilm biomass and coverage in both microbial consortia, indicating antibiotic-induced biofilm enhancement. Treatment with mineral water alone reduced total biofilm area and coverage, but promoted fragmentation into a greater number of discrete microcolonies. Conclusions. Mineral water modulates biofilm cohesion and spatial organization rather than solely reducing microbial viability. The study demonstrates the potential of mineral water as an adjunctive agent to enhance antibiofilm efficacy in the management of antibiotics in upper respiratory tract infection.
