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Synergistic Antibiofilm Activity between Synthetic Peptides and Ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus
Nilton A S Neto1, Jose T A Oliveira1, Tawanny K B Aguiar1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen known to be resistant to antibiotics since the mid-20th century and is constantly associated with hospital-acquired infections. S. aureus forms biofilms, which are complex surface-attached communities of bacteria held together by a self-produced polymer matrix consisting of proteins, extracellular DNA, and polysaccharides. Biofilms are resistance structures responsible for increasing bacterial resistance to drugs by 1000 times more than the planktonic lifestyle. Therefore, studies have been conducted to discover novel antibacterial molecules to prevent biofilm formation and/or degrade preformed biofilms. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) have appeared as promising alternative agents to overcome increasing antibiotic resistance. Here, the antibiofilm activity of eight SAMPs, in combination with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, was investigated in vitro. Biofilm formation by S. aureus was best inhibited (76%) by the combination of Mo-CBP3-PepIII (6.2 µg mL-1) and ciprofloxacin (0.39 µg mL-1). In contrast, the highest reduction (60%) of the preformed biofilm mass was achieved with RcAlb-PepII (1.56 µg mL-1) and ciprofloxacin (0.78 µg mL-1). Fluorescence microscopy analysis reinforced these results. These active peptides formed pores in the cellular membrane of S. aureus, which may be related to the enhanced ciprofloxacin's antibacterial activity. Our findings indicated that these peptides may act with ciprofloxacin and are powerful co-adjuvant agents for the treatment of S. aureus infections.
Insights
Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) combined with ciprofloxacin show promise in combating antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. These combinations effectively inhibit biofilm formation and degrade existing biofilms, offering new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, exhibiting significant antibiotic resistance.
- Bacterial biofilms, formed by S. aureus, are highly resistant structures that exacerbate antimicrobial challenges.
- Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) are being explored as novel agents to overcome antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro antibiofilm activity of eight SAMPs in combination with ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus.
- To identify specific SAMP-ciprofloxacin combinations that inhibit biofilm formation and degrade preformed biofilms.
- To elucidate the mechanism of action of effective SAMPs in combination with ciprofloxacin.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assessment of antibiofilm activity of eight SAMPs and ciprofloxacin combinations.
- Quantitative analysis of biofilm inhibition and degradation.
- Fluorescence microscopy to visualize peptide interaction with bacterial cell membranes.
Main Results:
- The combination of Mo-CBP3-PepIII and ciprofloxacin demonstrated the highest inhibition (76%) of S. aureus biofilm formation.
- RcAlb-PepII and ciprofloxacin achieved the greatest reduction (60%) of preformed biofilm mass.
- Fluorescence microscopy revealed that active peptides form pores in the S. aureus cell membrane, potentially enhancing ciprofloxacin's activity.
Conclusions:
- Certain SAMPs, when combined with ciprofloxacin, are effective co-adjuvant agents against Staphylococcus aureus.
- These peptide-ciprofloxacin combinations offer a promising strategy for treating S. aureus infections, particularly those involving biofilms.
- The mechanism involves membrane pore formation by peptides, leading to enhanced antibiotic efficacy.
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