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Galacto-Oligosaccharides as an Anti-Infective and Anti-Microbial Agent for Macrolide-Resistant and -Sensitive

Hongzhen Zhu1, Yang Cai2,3, Lisa J M Slimmen1

  • 1Laboratory of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Sophia Children's Hospital, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) show promise as an alternative treatment for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. GOS demonstrated bactericidal effects and inhibited bacterial adherence and inflammation in vitro, unlike fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Rising antibiotic resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) necessitates novel therapeutic strategies, particularly for pediatric infections.
  • Oligosaccharides, including galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), have demonstrated direct anti-pathogenic activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and anti-infective effects of GOS and FOS against both typical and macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP).

Main Methods:

  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination for GOS and FOS against MP and MRMP.
  • Time-kill kinetic assays to assess bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties.
  • In vitro co-culture models with A549 human alveolar epithelial cells to evaluate effects on bacterial adherence, viability, and host inflammatory responses (IL-6, IL-8).

Main Results:

  • GOS exhibited lower MIC values (4%) compared to FOS (16%) against both MP and MRMP.
  • GOS demonstrated bactericidal activity after 24 hours at 4x MIC, while FOS showed bacteriostatic properties.
  • GOS effectively killed adherent MP/MRMP, inhibited bacterial adherence to A549 cells, and suppressed MP-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production; FOS had no significant effect on these parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) possess significant anti-infective and antimicrobial properties against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, including macrolide-resistant strains.
  • The findings suggest GOS could serve as a viable alternative therapeutic agent for treating MP infections, offering a new approach against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Keywords:
Mycoplasma pneumoniaeanti-infectiveantibiotic resistancebactericidal effectsgalacto-oligosaccharideshuman epithelial cells

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