Antimicrobial Activity of Natural Extracts Against Catheter-Colonizing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Intravascular catheters (ICs) are prone to bacterial colonization, leading to bloodstream infections.
• Frequent IC replacement causes patient discomfort and significant healthcare costs.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a growing threat in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of natural extracts in preventing MRSA colonization on ICs.
• To identify natural compounds with bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties against MRSA.
• To explore potential applications of these extracts as IC coatings.

Main Methods:

• Tested 36 clinical MRSA isolates from ICs.
• Evaluated garlic, grape, and propolis extracts.
• Determined Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) using broth microdilution and resazurin assays.

Main Results:

• All tested natural extracts exhibited bacteriostatic activity against MRSA.
• Grape extract showed the lowest MIC90 (3.125 mg/mL), followed by propolis and garlic extracts.
• Propolis extract demonstrated bactericidal activity (MBC = 25 mg/mL).

Conclusions:

• Natural extracts display significant potential for inhibiting MRSA on ICs.
• Propolis extract exhibits both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects.
• These findings suggest natural extracts as viable alternatives for IC coatings to prevent multidrug-resistant infections.