Guar gum as a new antimicrobial peptide delivery system against diabetic foot ulcers Staphylococcus aureus isolates.

Guar gum as a new antimicrobial peptide delivery system against diabetic foot ulcers Staphylococcus aureus isolates. J Med Microbiol. 2016 Aug 5; Authors: Santos R, Gomes D, Macedo H, Barros D, Tibério C, Veiga AS, Tavares L, Castanho M, Oliveira M Abstract Diabetic patients frequently develop diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), particularly vulnerable to Staphylococcus aureus opportunistic infections. It is urgent to find new treatments for bacterial infections. The antimicrobial peptide (AMP) nisin is a potential candidate, mainly due to its broad spectrum of action against pathogens. Considering that AMP can be degraded or inactivated before reaching their target at therapeutic concentrations, it is mandatory to establish effective AMP delivery systems, being the natural polysaccharide guar gum one of the most promising. We analyzed the antimicrobial potential of nisin against 23 S. aureus DFU biofilm-producing isolates. Minimum inhibitory (MIC), bactericidal (MBC), biofilm inhibitory (MBIC) and biofilm eradication (MBEC) concentrations were determined for nisin diluted in HCl and incorporated in guar gum gel. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test. Nisin was effective against all isolates, including some multidrug-resistance clinical isolates, independently of being or not incorporated in guar gum. While differences between MIC, MBC and MBIC values were observed for HCl- and guar gum nisin, no significan...
Source: Journal of Medical Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: J Med Microbiol Source Type: research