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Xylitol Inhibits Growth and Blocks Virulence in Serratia marcescens

Ahdab N Khayyat1, Wael A H Hegazy2, Moataz A Shaldam3

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.

Microorganisms
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Xylitol inhibits *Serratia marcescens* growth and virulence by targeting quorum sensing (QS). This compound reduces biofilm formation, prodigiosin, and protease activity, offering a promising therapeutic for wound and burn infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • *Serratia marcescens* is a nosocomial pathogen causing wound and burn infections.
  • High antibiotic resistance and virulence factors necessitate alternative therapies.
  • Quorum sensing (QS) is a key regulator of *S. marcescens* virulence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antimicrobial and antivirulence effects of xylitol against *S. marcescens*.
  • To evaluate xylitol's potential in treating *S. marcescens*-associated infections.

Main Methods:

  • Assessing xylitol's impact on bacterial growth, biofilm formation, prodigiosin, protease activity, and motility.
  • Analyzing gene expression related to virulence factors.
  • Conducting in silico molecular docking studies.
  • Performing in vivo mice survival tests.

Main Results:

  • Xylitol inhibited *S. marcescens* growth and key virulence factors.
  • Sub-inhibitory xylitol concentrations reduced biofilm, prodigiosin, protease activity, and motility.
  • Xylitol downregulated essential virulence genes and protected mice in vivo.
  • In silico analysis revealed xylitol's interaction with the SmaR receptor.

Conclusions:

  • Xylitol exhibits significant antimicrobial and antivirulence properties against *S. marcescens*.
  • Xylitol effectively targets QS pathways, reducing virulence without impacting bacterial growth.
  • Xylitol shows therapeutic potential for treating *S. marcescens* wound and burn infections.
Keywords:
Serratia marcescensquorum sensingvirulencexylitol

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