Synergistic combinations of antimicrobial peptides against biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on polystyrene and medical devices.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Antimicrobial research is being focused to look for more effective therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant infections such as those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this regard, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) appear to be a promising solution. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential activity of temporin A, citropin 1.1, CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 and Pal-KGK-NH2 in synergistic activity against MRSA biofilms developed on polystyrene surface (PSS) and central venous catheter (CVC).

METHODS:

The study was subdivided into distinct phases to assess the ability of AMPs to inhibit biofilm formation, to identify possible synergy between AMPs, and to eradicate preformed biofilms on PSS and CVC using AMPs alone or in combination.

RESULTS:

Activity of the AMPs was particularly evident in the inhibition of biofilm formation on PSS and CVC, whilst the eradication of preformed biofilms was more difficult and was reached only after 24h of contact. The synergistic activity of AMP combinations, selected by their fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI), led to an improvement in the performance of all of the molecules in the removal of different biofilms.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, AMPs could represent the next generation of antimicrobial agents for a prophylactic or therapeutic tool to control biofilms of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and/or biofilm-associated infections on different medical devices.

• Authors: Eleonora Ciandrini, Gianluca Morroni, Oscar Cirioni, Wojciech Kamysz, Elzbieta Kamysz, Lucia Brescini, Wally Baffone, Raffaella Campana
• Journal: Journal of global antimicrobial resistance (J Glob Antimicrob Resist) Vol. 21 Pg. 203-210 (06 2020) ISSN: 2213-7173 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 31678322 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 International Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Polystyrenes
• Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (pharmacology)
• Biofilms (drug effects)
• Central Venous Catheters (microbiology)
• Equipment Contamination (prevention & control)
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (drug effects)
• Polystyrenes
• Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins (pharmacology)