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Reinseth I, Diep DB, Kjos M, Tønnesen HH, Carlsen H. Exploring the feasibility of bacteriocins EntK1 and EntEJ97s in treatment of systemic vancomycin resistant enterococci infections in mice. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae054. [PMID: 38439668 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Enterocins K1 and EJ97 have specific antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of these enterocins for in vivo treatment of systemic enterococcal infections. METHODS AND RESULTS The antimicrobial effect in blood was analysed and compared against the effect in saline. Colony forming unit counts revealed that the enterocins killed all the bacteria within 1 hour. Additionally, the bactericidal effect against E. faecalis was more rapid in blood, indicating a possible synergy between EntEJ97 and blood. Importantly, no enterocin resistant mutants emerged in these experiments. Injecting the enterocins intraperitoneally in an in vivo mouse model and using fluorescence and minimum inhibitory concentration determination to estimate concentrations of the peptides in plasma, indicate that the enterocins exist in circulation in therapeutic concentrations. Alanine aminotransferase detection, and haemolysis analysis indicates that there is no detectable liver damage or haemolytic effect after injection. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that EntK1 and EntEJ97 are able to kill all bacteria ex vivo in the presence of blood. In vivo experiments determine that the enterocins exist in circulation in therapeutic concentrations without causing liver damage or haemolysis. Future experiments should test these peptides for treatment of infection in a relevant in vivo model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvild Reinseth
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Dzung B Diep
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Morten Kjos
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Hanne H Tønnesen
- Section of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Harald Carlsen
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003 1432 Ås, Norway
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2
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Werner J, Umstätter F, Hertlein T, Beijer B, Kleist C, Mühlberg E, Zimmermann S, Haberkorn U, Ohlsen K, Fricker G, Mier W, Uhl P. Improved pharmacokinetics and enhanced efficacy of the vancomycin derivative FU002 using a liposomal nanocarrier. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2024; 56:102731. [PMID: 38158147 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2023.102731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance still represents a global health concern which diminishes the pool of effective antibiotics. With the vancomycin derivative FU002, we recently reported a highly potent substance active against Gram-positive bacteria with the potential to overcome vancomycin resistance. However, the translation of its excellent antimicrobial activity into clinical efficiency could be hampered by its rapid elimination from the blood stream. To improve its pharmacokinetics, we encapsulated FU002 in PEGylated liposomes. For PEG-liposomal FU002, no relevant cytotoxicity on liver, kidney and red blood cells was observed. Studies in Wistar rats revealed a significantly prolonged blood circulation of the liposomal antibiotic. In microdilution assays it could be demonstrated that encapsulation does not diminish the antimicrobial activity against staphylococci and enterococci. Highlighting its great potency, liposomal FU002 exhibited a superior therapeutic efficacy when compared to the free form in a Galleria mellonella larvae infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Werner
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Umstätter
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Hertlein
- University of Würzburg, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbro Beijer
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Kleist
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eric Mühlberg
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Zimmermann
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Knut Ohlsen
- University of Würzburg, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gert Fricker
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Walter Mier
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Uhl
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg, Germany.
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3
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Otarigho B, Falade MO. Computational Screening of Approved Drugs for Inhibition of the Antibiotic Resistance Gene mecA in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains. BIOTECH 2023; 12:biotech12020025. [PMID: 37092469 PMCID: PMC10123713 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a critical problem that results in a high morbidity and mortality rate. The process of discovering new chemotherapy and antibiotics is challenging, expensive, and time-consuming, with only a few getting approved for clinical use. Therefore, screening already-approved drugs to combat pathogens such as bacteria that cause serious infections in humans and animals is highly encouraged. In this work, we aim to identify approved antibiotics that can inhibit the mecA antibiotic resistance gene found in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The MecA protein sequence was utilized to perform a BLAST search against a drug database containing 4302 approved drugs. The results revealed that 50 medications, including known antibiotics for other bacterial strains, targeted the mecA antibiotic resistance gene. In addition, a structural similarity approach was employed to identify existing antibiotics for S. aureus, followed by molecular docking. The results of the docking experiment indicated that six drugs had a high binding affinity to the mecA antibiotic resistance gene. Furthermore, using the structural similarity strategy, it was discovered that afamelanotide, an approved drug with unclear antibiotic activity, had a strong binding affinity to the MRSA-MecA protein. These findings suggest that certain already-approved drugs have potential in chemotherapy against drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria, such as MRSA.
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Li G, Walker MJ, De Oliveira DMP. Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Microorganisms 2022; 11:microorganisms11010024. [PMID: 36677316 PMCID: PMC9866002 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus are both common commensals and major opportunistic human pathogens. In recent decades, these bacteria have acquired broad resistance to several major classes of antibiotics, including commonly employed glycopeptides. Exemplified by resistance to vancomycin, glycopeptide resistance is mediated through intrinsic gene mutations, and/or transferrable van resistance gene cassette-carrying mobile genetic elements. Here, this review will discuss the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and S. aureus in healthcare, community, and agricultural settings, explore vancomycin resistance in the context of van and non-van mediated resistance development and provide insights into alternative therapeutic approaches aimed at treating drug-resistant Enterococcus and S. aureus infections.
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5
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Adeniji OO, Ojemaye MO, Okoh AI. Antibacterial Activity of Metallic Nanoparticles against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens Isolated from Environmental Samples: Nanoparticles/Antibiotic Combination Therapy and Cytotoxicity Study. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:4814-4826. [PMID: 36153972 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant organisms have increased the prevalence of infectious diseases and have become the leading source of death globally. The adverse effects associated with conventional antibiotics cannot be underestimated, and as a result, the quest for antibacterial agents has received great attention over the years. Therefore, the current research was designed to synthesize and examine the antibacterial properties of two metallic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), as well as their antibiotic combination therapy against multidrug-resistant bacteria. AgNPs and ZnONPs were synthesized by the coprecipitation method and characterized. Thereafter, their antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria was investigated using the microdilution technique. Subsequently, the interactions between the synthesized nanoparticles and antibiotics were evaluated by checkerboard assay. Time-kill assays were carried out to assess bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects, and the cytotoxicity study was carried out by MTT assay. The SEM analysis of AgNPs and ZnONPs were spherical with an average size of 21.03 and 43.37 nm, respectively. FTIR analysis showed the characteristics of the metal-oxygen vibrational band for both materials around 450 cm-1, which indicated the successful synthesis of these antibacterial agents. The EDX characterization revealed Zn and O with 77.89% and 18.24% abundance in ZnONPs and Ag with 95.65% abundance in AgNPs. UV-vis absorption spectra of AgNPs was obtained around 400 nm. ZnONPs showed a moderate antibacterial effect against Enterococcus species with a MIC range of 2.5-5 mg/mL, while AgNPs demonstrated a strong antibacterial effect against the tested bacterial strains with a MIC range of 0.078-0.039 mg/mL. The ZnONPs were found to be cytotoxic against Vero cell lines at the tested concentrations, whereas AgNPs had no cytotoxic effect at lower concentrations. Their combination activities showed synergetic and additive effects. These findings revealed that these synthesized materials could serve as alternate antibacterial agents against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanni and Enterococcus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Ola Adeniji
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Mike Onyewelehi Ojemaye
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Denissen J, Reyneke B, Waso-Reyneke M, Havenga B, Barnard T, Khan S, Khan W. Prevalence of ESKAPE pathogens in the environment: Antibiotic resistance status, community-acquired infection and risk to human health. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 244:114006. [PMID: 35841823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) pathogens are characterised by increased levels of resistance towards multiple classes of first line and last-resort antibiotics. Although these pathogens are frequently isolated from clinical environments and are implicated in a variety of life-threatening, hospital-associated infections; antibiotic resistant ESKAPE strains have been isolated from environmental reservoirs such as surface water, wastewater, food, and soil. Literature on the persistence and subsequent health risks posed by the ESKAPE isolates in extra-hospital settings is however, limited and the current review aims to elucidate the primary reservoirs of these pathogens in the environment, their antibiotic resistance profiles, and the link to community-acquired infections. Additionally, information on the current state of research regarding health-risk assessments linked to exposure of the ESKAPE pathogens in the natural environment, is outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Denissen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - Brandon Reyneke
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - Monique Waso-Reyneke
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
| | - Benjamin Havenga
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - Tobias Barnard
- Water and Health Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 17011, Doornfontein, 7305, South Africa
| | - Sehaam Khan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
| | - Wesaal Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa.
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Two Novel Lytic Bacteriophages Infecting Enterococcus spp. Are Promising Candidates for Targeted Antibacterial Therapy. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040831. [PMID: 35458561 PMCID: PMC9030284 DOI: 10.3390/v14040831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance is of major concern globally. Among the most worrying pathogenic bacteria are vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Phage therapy is a highly promising method for controlling enterococcal infections. In this study, we described two virulent tailed bacteriophages possessing lytic activity against Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium isolates. The SSsP-1 bacteriophage belonged to the Saphexavirus genus of the Siphoviridae family, and the GVEsP-1 bacteriophage belonged to the Schiekvirus genus of Herelleviridae. The genomes of both viruses carried putative components of anti-CRISPR systems and did not contain known genes coding for antibiotic-resistance determinants and virulence factors. The conservative arrangement of protein-coding sequences in Saphexavirus and Schiekvirus genomes taken together with positive results of treating enterococcal peritonitis in an animal infection model imply the potential suitability of GVEsP-1 and SSsP-1 bacteriophages for clinical applications.
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Muller C. Antibiotics and Antimicrobials Resistance: Mechanisms and New Strategies to Fight Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11030400. [PMID: 35326863 PMCID: PMC8944417 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Muller
- UNICAEN, Research Unit of Microbial Risks U2RM, Normandie University, 14032 Caen, France
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