scholarly journals Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of a Natural Clay Mineral from British Columbia, Canada

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shekooh Behroozian ◽  
Sarah L. Svensson ◽  
Loretta Y. Li ◽  
Julian E. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Clay Mineral ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Chelating Agents ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Natural Clay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of

ABSTRACT Worldwide increases in antibiotic resistance and the dearth of new antibiotics have created a global crisis in the treatment of infectious diseases. These concerns highlight the pressing need for novel antimicrobial agents. Natural clay minerals have a long history of therapeutic and biomedical applications and have lately received specific attention for their potent antimicrobial properties. In particular, Kisameet clay (KC) has strong antibacterial activity against a variety of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens in vitro. Here, we have extended the known spectrum of activity of KC by demonstrating its efficacy against two major fungal pathogens, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. In addition, KC also exhibits potent activity against the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium marinum, a model organism for M. ulcerans infection. Moreover, aqueous KC leachates (KC-L) exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, eradicated Gram-negative and Gram-positive biofilms, and prevented their formation. The mechanism(s) underlying KC antibacterial activity appears to be complex. Adjusting KC-L to neutral pH rendered it inactive, indicating a contribution of pH, although low pH alone was insufficient for its antibacterial activity. Treatment of KC minerals with cation-chelating agents such as EDTA, 2,2′-bipyridyl, and deferoxamine reduced the antibacterial activity, while supplementation of KC-L with these chelating agents eliminated the inhibitory activity. Together, the data suggest a positive role for divalent and trivalent cations, including iron and aluminum, in bacterial inhibition by KC. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the range of KC bioactivity and provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying its antibacterial effects. IMPORTANCE The escalating emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, together with the paucity of novel antimicrobial agents in antibiotic development, is recognized as a worldwide public health crisis. Kisameet clay (KC), found in British Columbia (BC), Canada, is a clay mineral with a long history of therapeutic applications among people of the First Nations. We previously reported the antibacterial activity of KC against a group of MDR clinical pathogens. Here, we demonstrate its activity against two major human-pathogenic fungal species, as well as against bacterial biofilms, which underlie many recalcitrant bacterial infections. In these studies, we also identified several geochemical characteristics of KC, such as metal ions and low pH, which are involved in its antibacterial activity. These findings provide a better understanding of the components of KC antibacterial activity and a basis for developing defined preparations of this clay mineral for therapeutic applications.

scholarly journals Kisameet Clay Exhibits Potent Antibacterial Activity against the ESKAPE Pathogens

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shekooh Behroozian ◽  
Sarah L. Svensson ◽  
Julian Davies
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Natural Clay ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Natural Medicine

ABSTRACT The ESKAPE ( Enterococcus faecium , Staphylococcus aureus , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Acinetobacter baumannii , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Enterobacter species) pathogens cause an increasing number of nosocomial infections worldwide since they escape the inhibitory effect of the available antibiotics and the immune response. Here, we report the broad-spectrum and potent antibacterial activity of Kisameet clay, a natural clay mineral from British Columbia, Canada, against a group of multidrug-resistant ESKAPE strains. The results suggest that this natural clay might be developed as a therapeutic option for the treatment of serious infections caused by these important pathogens. IMPORTANCE More than 50 years of misuse and overuse of antibiotics has led to a plague of antibiotic resistance that threatens to reduce the efficacy of antimicrobial agents available for the treatment of infections due to resistant organisms. The main threat is nosocomial infections in which certain pathogens, notably the ESKAPE organisms, are essentially untreatable and contribute to increasing mortality and morbidity in surgical wards. The pipeline of novel antimicrobials in the pharmaceutical industry is essentially empty. Thus, there is a great need to seek for new sources for the treatment of recalcitrant infectious diseases. We describe experiments that demonstrate the efficacy of a “natural” medicine, Kisameet clay, against all of the ESKAPE strains. We suggest that this material is worthy of clinical investigation for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms.

scholarly journals Novel 5-Nitrofuran-Activating Reductase in Escherichia coli

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vuong Van Hung Le ◽  
Ieuan G. Davies ◽  
Christina D. Moon ◽  
David Wheeler ◽  
Patrick J. Biggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Antimicrobial Drugs ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
History Of ◽  
Low Prevalence

ABSTRACT The global spread of multidrug-resistant enterobacteria warrants new strategies to combat these pathogens. One possible approach is the reconsideration of “old” antimicrobials, which remain effective after decades of use. Synthetic 5-nitrofurans such as furazolidone, nitrofurantoin, and nitrofurazone are such a class of antimicrobial drugs. Recent epidemiological data showed a very low prevalence of resistance to this antimicrobial class among clinical Escherichia coli isolates in various parts of the world, forecasting the increasing importance of its uses to battle antibiotic-resistant enterobacteria. However, although they have had a long history of clinical use, a detailed understanding of the 5-nitrofurans’ mechanisms of action remains limited. Nitrofurans are known as prodrugs that are activated in E. coli by reduction catalyzed by two redundant nitroreductases, NfsA and NfsB. Furazolidone, nevertheless, retains relatively significant antibacterial activity in the nitroreductase-deficient ΔnfsA ΔnfsB E. coli strain, indicating the presence of additional activating enzymes and/or antibacterial activity of the unreduced form. Using genome sequencing, genetic, biochemical, and bioinformatic approaches, we discovered a novel 5-nitrofuran-activating enzyme, AhpF, in E. coli. The discovery of a new nitrofuran-reducing enzyme opens new avenues for overcoming 5-nitrofuran resistance, such as designing nitrofuran analogues with higher affinity for AhpF or screening for adjuvants that enhance AhpF expression.

Resistance to nitrofurantoin is an indicator of extensive drug-resistant (XDR) Enterobacteriaceae

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Balaram Khamari ◽  
Prakash Kumar ◽  
Bulagonda Eswarappa Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type

Introduction. Nitrofurantoin is one of the preferred antibiotics in the treatment of uropathogenic multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. However, resistance to nitrofurantoin in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria has severely limited the treatment options. Gap statement. Information related to co-resistance or collateral sensitivity (CS) with reference to nitrofurantoin resistant bacteria is limited. Aim. To study the potential of nitrofurantoin resistance as an indicator of the XDR phenotype in Enterobacteriaceae . Methods. One hundred (45 nitrofurantoin-resistant, 21 intermediately resistant and 34 nitrofurantoin-susceptible) Enterobacteriaceae were analysed in this study. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) against nitrofurantoin and 17 other antimicrobial agents across eight different classes was performed by using the Vitek 2.0 system. The isolates were screened for the prevalence of acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and efflux pump genes by PCR. Results. In total, 51 % of nitrofurantoin-resistant and 28 % of intermediately nitrofurantoin resistant isolates exhibited XDR characteristics, while only 3 % of nitrofurantoin-sensitive isolates were XDR (P=0.0001). Significant co-resistance was observed between nitrofurantoin and other tested antibiotics (β-lactam, cephalosporin, carbapenem, aminoglycoside and tetracycline). Further, the prevalence of AMR and efflux pump genes was higher in the nitrofurantoin-resistant strains compared to the susceptible isolates. A strong association was observed between nitrofurantoin resistance and the presence of bla PER-1, bla NDM-1, bla OXA-48, ant(2) and oqxA-oqxB genes. Tigecycline (84 %) and colistin (95 %) were the only antibiotics to which the majority of the isolates were susceptible. Conclusion. Nitrofurantoin resistance could be an indicator of the XDR phenotype among Enterobacteriaceae , harbouring multiple AMR and efflux pump genes. Tigecycline and colistin are the only antibiotics that could be used in the treatment of such XDR infections. A deeper understanding of the co-resistance mechanisms in XDR pathogens and prescription of AST-based appropriate combination therapy may help mitigate this problem.

scholarly journals Activity of Debio1452, a FabI Inhibitor with Potent Activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus spp., Including Multidrug-Resistant Strains

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 2583-2587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Flamm ◽  
Paul R. Rhomberg ◽  
Nachum Kaplan ◽  
Ronald N. Jones ◽  
David J. Farrell
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Fatty Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mrsa Strains ◽  
Human Infections

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusand coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are responsible for a wide variety of human infections. The investigational antibacterial Debio1450 (previously AFN-1720), a prodrug of Debio1452 (previously AFN-1252), specifically targets staphylococci without significant activity against other Gram-positive or Gram-negative species. Debio1452 inhibits FabI, an enzyme critical to fatty acid biosynthesis in staphylococci. The activity of Debio1452 against CoNS, methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus(MSSA), and methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA), including significant clones, was determined. A globally diverse collection of 574 patient isolates from 35 countries was tested that included CoNS (6 species, 103 strains), MSSA (154 strains), MRSA (163 strains), and molecularly characterized strains (includingspa-typed MRSA clones; 154 strains). The isolates were tested for susceptibility by CLSI broth microdilution methods against Debio1452 and 10 comparators. The susceptibility rates for the comparators were determined using CLSI and EUCAST breakpoint criteria. AllS. aureusand CoNS strains were inhibited by Debio1452 concentrations of ≤0.12 and ≤0.5 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC50s for MSSA, MRSA, and molecularly characterized MRSA strains were 0.004 μg/ml, and the MIC90s ranged from 0.008 to 0.03 μg/ml. The MICs were higher for the CoNS isolates (MIC50/90, 0.015/0.12 μg/ml). AmongS. aureusstrains, resistance was common for erythromycin (61.6%), levofloxacin (49.0%), clindamycin (27.6%), tetracycline (15.7%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (7.0%). Debio1452 demonstrated potent activity against MSSA, MRSA, and CoNS. Debio1452 showed significantly greater activity overall (MIC50, 0.004 μg/ml) than the other agents tested against these staphylococcal species, which included dominant MRSA clones and strains resistant to currently utilized antimicrobial agents.

scholarly journals In VitroEvaluation of Novel Compounds against Selected Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 1646-1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth T. Housman ◽  
Christina Sutherland ◽  
David P. Nicolau
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Ribosome ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Pathogens

ABSTRACTWe describe the activities of RX-P763, RX-P766, RX-P770, RX-P792, RX-P793, and RX-P808 against strains of resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa. These compounds target the large subunit of the bacterial ribosome and have broad-spectrum activities against multidrug-resistant pathogens. All compounds demonstratedin vitroactivity againstP. aeruginosa, with MIC90values of 4 to 8 μg/ml (range, 0.5 to 64). These novel compounds had narrow MIC distributions and maintained activity despite resistance phenotypes to other commonly utilized agents.

scholarly journals Functional Characterization of AbaQ, a Novel Efflux Pump Mediating Quinolone Resistance inAcinetobacter baumannii

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Pérez-Varela ◽  
Jordi Corral ◽  
Jesús Aranda ◽  
Jordi Barbé
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Quinolone Resistance ◽  
Nosocomial Pathogen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mfs Transporter

ABSTRACTAcinetobacter baumanniihas emerged as an important multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen. In previous work, we identified a putative MFS transporter, AU097_RS17040, involved in the pathogenicity ofA. baumannii(M. Pérez-Varela, J. Corral, J. A. Vallejo, S. Rumbo-Feal, G. Bou, J. Aranda, and J. Barbé, Infect Immun 85:e00327-17, 2017,https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00327-17). In this study, we analyzed the susceptibility to diverse antimicrobial agents ofA. baumanniicells defective in this transporter, referred to as AbaQ. Our results showed that AbaQ is mainly involved in the extrusion of quinolone-type drugs inA. baumannii.

scholarly journals Membrane Perturbation Action Mode and Structure-Activity Relationships of Protonectin, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from the Venom of the Neotropical Social Wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 4632-4639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kairong Wang ◽  
Wen Dang ◽  
Jiexi Yan ◽  
Ru Chen ◽  
Xin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Social Wasp ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Helical Conformation ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Natural Analog ◽  
Action Mode

ABSTRACTWith the extensive use of antibiotics, multidrug-resistant bacteria emerge frequently. New antimicrobial agents with novel modes of action are urgently needed. It is now widely accepted that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) could be promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. In this study, we aimed to study the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action of protonectin, a cationic peptide from the venom of the neotropical social waspAgelaia pallipes pallipes. We demonstrated that protonectin exhibits potent antimicrobial activity against a spectrum of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. To further understand this mechanism, the structural features of protonectin and its analogs were studied by circular dichroism (CD). The CD spectra demonstrated that protonectin and its natural analog polybia-CP formed a typical α-helical conformation in the membrane-mimicking environment, while its proline-substituted analog had much lower or even no α-helix conformation. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the α-helical conformation in the membrane is required for the exhibition of antibacterial activity. In conclusion, protonectin exhibits potent antimicrobial activity by disruption of the integrity of the bacterial membrane, and its α-helical confirmation in the membrane is essential for this action.

scholarly journals In VitroAntibacterial Activity of the Ceftazidime-Avibactam Combination against Enterobacteriaceae, Including Strains with Well-Characterized β-Lactamases

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 1931-1934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Premavathy Levasseur ◽  
Anne-Marie Girard ◽  
Christine Miossec ◽  
John Pace ◽  
Ken Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Class A ◽  
Fixed Weight ◽  
Class D ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Esbl Producers

ABSTRACTThe novel β-lactamase inhibitor avibactam is a potent inhibitor of class A, class C, and some class D enzymes. Thein vitroantibacterial activity of the ceftazidime-avibactam combination was determined for a collection ofEnterobacteriaceaeclinical isolates; this collection was enriched for resistant strains, including strains with characterized serine β-lactamases. The inhibitor was added either at fixed weight ratios to ceftazidime or at fixed concentrations, with the latter type of combination consistently resulting in greater potentiation of antibacterial activity. In the presence of 4 μg/ml of avibactam, the ceftazidime MIC50and MIC90(0.25 and 2 μg/ml, respectively) were both below the CLSI breakpoint for ceftazidime. Further comparisons with reference antimicrobial agents were performed using this fixed inhibitor concentration. Against most ceftazidime-susceptible and -nonsusceptible isolates, the addition of avibactam resulted in a significant increase in ceftazidime activity, with MICs generally reduced 256-fold for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers, 8- to 32-fold for CTX-M producers, and >128-fold for KPC producers. Overall, MICs of a ceftazidime-avibactam combination were significantly lower than those of the comparators piperacillin-tazobactam, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefepime and similar or superior to those of imipenem.

scholarly journals Rational Design of Engineered Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Consisting Exclusively of Arginine and Tryptophan, and Their Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 2511-2521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berthony Deslouches ◽  
Jonathan D. Steckbeck ◽  
Jodi K. Craigo ◽  
Yohei Doi ◽  
Timothy A. Mietzner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Broth Culture ◽  
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Amphipathic Helices

ABSTRACTThe emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens underscores the need for new antimicrobial agents to overcome the resistance mechanisms of these organisms. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) provide a potential source of new antimicrobial therapeutics. We previously characterized a lytic base unit (LBU) series of engineered CAPs (eCAPs) of 12 to 48 residues demonstrating maximum antibacterial selectivity at 24 residues. Further, Trp substitution in LBU sequences increased activity against bothP. aeruginosaandS. aureusunder challenging conditions (e.g., saline, divalent cations, and serum). Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the optimal length and, therefore, the cost for maximum eCAP activity under physiologically relevant conditions could be significantly reduced using only Arg and Trp arranged to form idealized amphipathic helices. Hence, we developed a novel peptide series, composed only of Arg and Trp, in a sequence predicted and verified by circular dichroism to fold into optimized amphipathic helices. The most effective antimicrobial activity was achieved at 12 residues in length (WR12) against a panel of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical isolates, including extensively drug-resistant strains, in saline and broth culture and at various pH values. The results demonstrate that the rational design of CAPs can lead to a significant reduction in the length and the number of amino acids used in peptide design to achieve optimal potency and selectivity against specific pathogens.

scholarly journals Homeostasis of Glutathione Is Associated with Polyamine-Mediated β-Lactam Susceptibility in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 5457-5461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong H. Kwon ◽  
Saboor Hekmaty ◽  
Gomattie Seecoomar
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Redox State ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Cellular Redox ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intracellular Glutathione ◽  
Cellular Redox State

ABSTRACTGlutathione is a tripeptide (l-γ-glutamyl–l-cysteinyl–glycine) thiol compound existing in many bacteria and maintains a proper cellular redox state, thus protecting cells against toxic substances such as reactive oxygen species. Polyamines (spermine and spermidine) are low-molecular-weight aliphatic polycations ubiquitously presenting in all living cells and modulate many cellular functions. We previously reported that exogenous polyamines significantly enhanced β-lactam susceptibility of β-lactam-associated multidrug-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii. In this study, three genes differentially associated with the polyamine effects on β-lactam susceptibility were identified by transposon mutagenesis ofA. baumanniiATCC 19606. All three genes encoded components of membrane transport systems. Inactivation of one of the genes encoding a putative glutathione transport ATP-binding protein increased the accumulation of intracellular glutathione (∼150 to ∼200%) and significantly decreased the polyamine effects on β-lactam susceptibility inA. baumanniiATCC 19606. When the cells were grown with polyamines, the levels of intracellular glutathione inA. baumanniiATCC 19606 significantly decreased from ∼0.5 to ∼0.2 nmol, while the levels of extracellular glutathione were correspondingly increased. However, the levels of total glutathione (intra- plus extracellular) were unchanged when the cells were grown with or without polyamines. Overall, these results suggest that exogenous polyamines induce glutathione export, resulting in decreased levels of intracellular glutathione, which may produce an improper cellular redox state that is associated with the polyamine-mediated β-lactam susceptibility ofA. baumannii. This finding may provide a clue for development of new antimicrobial agents and/or novel strategies to treat multidrug-resistantA. baumannii.

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