Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on bronchial epithelial ion transport.

During chronic lung infections the effects of bacterial exoproducts on the function of the airways epithelium could play a role in the overall pathophysiology of infection. We measured the effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture on ion transport and solute permeability of dog bronchial epithelium to determine if this organism produces toxins that affect these epithelial functions. Thirty-six-hour trypticase soy broth cultures of P. aeruginosa at 1:40 dilutions decreased short-circuit current and active sodium absorption and lowered conductance and chloride unidirectional fluxes. At 1:4 dilutions, P. aeruginosa increased conductance and the permeability coefficient of 14C-mannitol, suggesting that solute flow around cells was increased. These effects appear to be caused by a heat-stable glycolipid hemolysin produced by P. aeruginosa.