Figure 11.

Diagram of the preparation of catheter biofilms of P. aeruginosa alone (PA) and with Candida by simultaneous incubation of Candida together with bacteria (P. aeruginosa + C. albicans) or the Candida addition in 1.5 h biofilm-formed bacteria (P. aeruginosa > C. albicans) before 48 h of subcutaneous implantation in mice (A) are indicated. Characteristics of the catheter insertion mouse model as determined by survival analysis (B), kidney and liver injury (serum creatinine and alanine transaminase) (C, D), bacteremia (E), serum cytokines (F), and organism burdens of catheter biofilms (G) are demonstrated. Additionally, characteristics of mice with P. aeruginosa > C. albicans biofilm catheters with or without l-cysteine incubation as evaluated by these parameters (H–P) are demonstrated. The survival analysis (B, H) and the differences between groups were examined by Log-rank test and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s analysis, respectively (C–G, I–P). A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. (n = 12/group for survival analysis and n = 6–8/group for other parameters.)