Effects of mupirocin at subinhibitory concentrations on flagella formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis

Colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at trachea, nares and oropharynx can cause ventilator-acquired pneumonia. To identify beneficial effects of antibiotics on expression of virulence factors related to colonization by such pathogens, we evaluated the effect of mupirocin on flagella formation in P. aeruginosa and on motility and flagella formation in Proteus mirabilis. In P. aeruginosa, subinhibitory concentrations of mupirocin inhibited flagella formation, which was associated with reduced flagellin expression. In P. mirabilis, subinhibitory concentrations of mupirocin dose-dependently suppressed bacterial motility and flagella formation, again with reduced flagellin expression. Our results indicate that subinhibitory concentrations of mupirocin can suppress expression of virulence factors in P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis.