scholarly journals Efficacy of LAMB against Emerging Azole- and Multidrug-Resistant Candida parapsilosis Isolates in the Galleria mellonella Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Ulrike Binder ◽  
Amir Arastehfar ◽  
Lisa Schnegg ◽  
Caroline Hörtnagl ◽  
Suleyha Hilmioğlu-Polat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Parapsilosis ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Drug Efficacy ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Therapeutic Failure ◽  
Reliable Model ◽  
Prompt Action

While being the third leading cause of candidemia worldwide, numerous studies have shown severe clonal outbreaks due to fluconazole-resistant (FLCR) Candida parapsilosis isolates associated with fluconazole therapeutic failure (FTF) with enhanced mortality. More recently, multidrug resistant (MDR) C. parapsilosis blood isolates have also been identified that are resistant to both azole and echinocandin drugs. Amphotericin B (AMB) resistance is rarely reported among C. parapsilosis isolates and proper management of bloodstream infections due to FLZR and MDR isolates requires prompt action at the time of outbreak. Therefore, using a well-established Galleria mellonella model, we assessed whether (a) laboratory-based findings on azole or echinocandin (micafungin) resistance in C. parapsilosis lead to therapeutic failure, (b) LAMB could serve as an efficient salvage treatment option, and (c) distinct mutations in ERG11 impact mortality. Our in vivo data confirm fluconazole inefficacy against FLCR C. parapsilosis isolates carrying Y132F, Y132F + K143R, Y132F + G307A, and G307A + G458S in Erg11p, while LAMB proved to be an efficacious accessible option against both FLCR and MDR C. parapsilosis isolates. Moreover, positive correlation of in vitro and in vivo data further highlights the utility of G. melonella as a reliable model to investigate azole and polyene drug efficacy.

scholarly journals Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates: In Vivo Virulence Assessment in Galleria mellonella and Potential Therapeutics by Polycationic Oligoethyleneimine

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Dalila Mil-Homens ◽  
Maria Martins ◽  
José Barbosa ◽  
Gabriel Serafim ◽  
Maria J. Sarmento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Virulence Potential ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of the most common pathogens found in hospital-acquired infections, is often resistant to multiple antibiotics. In fact, multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae producing KPC or OXA-48-like carbapenemases are recognized as a serious global health threat. In this sense, we evaluated the virulence of K. pneumoniae KPC(+) or OXA-48(+) aiming at potential antimicrobial therapeutics. K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) and the expanded-spectrum oxacillinase OXA-48 isolates were obtained from patients treated in medical care units in Lisbon, Portugal. The virulence potential of the K. pneumonia clinical isolates was tested using the Galleria mellonella model. For that, G. mellonella larvae were inoculated using patients KPC(+) and OXA-48(+) isolates. Using this in vivo model, the KPC(+) K. pneumoniae isolates showed to be, on average, more virulent than OXA-48(+). Virulence was found attenuated when a low bacterial inoculum (one magnitude lower) was tested. In addition, we also report the use of a synthetic polycationic oligomer (L-OEI-h) as a potential antimicrobial agent to fight infectious diseases caused by MDR bacteria. L-OEI-h has a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and exerts a significantly bactericidal activity within the first 5-30 min treatment, causing lysis of the cytoplasmic membrane. Importantly, the polycationic oligomer showed low toxicity against in vitro models and no visible cytotoxicity (measured by survival and health index) was noted on the in vivo model (G. mellonella), thus L-OEI-h is foreseen as a promising polymer therapeutic for the treatment of MDR K. pneumoniae infections.

scholarly journals Macrocolony of NDM-1 Producing Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. oharae Generates Subpopulations with Different Features Regarding the Response of Antimicrobial Agents and Biofilm Formation

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Roberta Brust ◽  
Luana Boff ◽  
Danielle da Silva Trentin ◽  
Franciele Pedrotti Rozales ◽  
Afonso Luís Barth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Biofilm Production ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Enterobacter Hormaechei ◽  
Type 3

Enterobacter cloacae complex has been increasingly recognized as a nosocomial pathogen representing the third major Enterobacteriaceae species involved with infections. This study aims to evaluate virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility of subpopulations generated from macrocolonies of NDM-1 producing Enterobacter hormaechei clinical isolates. Biofilm was quantified using crystal violet method and fimbrial genes were investigated by PCR. Susceptibility of antimicrobials, alone and combined, was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration and checkerboard assays, respectively. Virulence and efficacy of antimicrobials were evaluated in Galleria mellonella larvae. Importantly, we verified that some subpopulations that originate from the same macrocolony present different biofilm production ability and distinct susceptibility to meropenem due to the loss of blaNDM-1 encoding plasmid. A more in-depth study was performed with the 798 macrocolony subpopulations. Type 3 fimbriae were straightly related with biofilm production; however, virulence in larvae was not statistically different among subpopulations. Triple combination with meropenem–rifampicin–polymyxin B showed in vitro synergistic effect against all subpopulations; while in vivo this treatment showed different efficacy rates for 798-1S and 798-4S subpopulations. The ability of multidrug resistant E. hormaechei isolates in generating bacterial subpopulations presenting different susceptible and virulence mechanisms are worrisome and may explain why these infections are hardly overcome.

scholarly journals Synergistic Efficacy of Aedes aegypti Antimicrobial Peptide Cecropin A2 and Tetracycline against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaojun Zheng ◽  
Nagendran Tharmalingam ◽  
Qingzhong Liu ◽  
Elamparithi Jayamani ◽  
Wooseong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance has created an urgent need for alternative drugs with new mechanisms of action. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates that could address the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria, either alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics. We studied the antimicrobial efficacy and bactericidal mechanism of cecropin A2, a 36-residue α-helical cationic peptide derived from Aedes aegypti cecropin A, focusing on the common pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The peptide showed little hemolytic activity and toxicity toward mammalian cells, and the MICs against most clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were 32 to 64 μg/ml, and its MICs versus other Gram-negative bacteria were 2 to 32 μg/ml. Importantly, cecropin A2 demonstrated synergistic activity against P. aeruginosa when combined with tetracycline, reducing the MICs of both agents by 8-fold. The combination was also effective in vivo in the P. aeruginosa/Galleria mellonella model (P < 0.001). We found that cecropin A2 bound to P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides, permeabilized the membrane, and interacted with the bacterial genomic DNA, thus facilitating the translocation of tetracycline into the cytoplasm. In summary, the combination of cecropin A2 and tetracycline demonstrated synergistic antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo, offering an alternative approach for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

scholarly journals A Galleria mellonella infection model reveals double and triple antibiotic combination therapies with enhanced efficacy versus a multidrug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 945-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Krezdorn ◽  
Sophie Adams ◽  
Peter J. Coote
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Resistant Strain ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Strain

The aim of this study was to compare the inhibitory effect of antibiotic combinations in vitro with efficacy in Galleria mellonella larvae in vivo to identify efficacious combinations that target Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa NCTC 13437, a multidrug-resistant strain resistant to β-lactams and aminoglycosides, was used. Susceptibility to cefotaxime, piperacillin, meropenem, amikacin, levofloxacin and colistin alone, or in dual or triple combinations, was measured in vitro via a 24 h time-kill assay. In vitro results were then compared with the efficacy of the same dual or triple antibiotic combinations versus G. mellonella larvae infected with P. aeruginosa. G. mellonella haemolymph burden of P. aeruginosa was determined over 96 h post-infection and treatment with the most potent combination therapies. Many dual and triple combinations of antibiotics displayed synergistic inhibition of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa in vitro. There was little correlation between combinations that were synergistic in vitro and those that showed enhanced efficacy in vivo versus infected G. mellonella larvae. The most potent dual and triple combinations in vivo were cefotaxime plus piperacillin, and meropenem plus piperacillin and amikacin, respectively. Fewer combinations were found to offer enhanced therapeutic benefit in vivo compared with in vitro. The therapeutic benefit arising from treatment with antibiotic combinations in vivo correlated with reduced larval burden of P. aeruginosa. This study has identified antibiotic combinations that merit further investigation for their clinical potential and has demonstrated the utility of using G. mellonella to screen for novel antibiotic treatments that demonstrate efficacy in vivo.

scholarly journals Pyocin efficacy in a murine model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Six ◽  
Khedidja Mosbahi ◽  
Madhuri Barge ◽  
Colin Kleanthous ◽  
Thomas Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Naturally Occurring

SynopsisBackgroundBloodstream infections with antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are common and increasingly difficult to treat. Pyocins are naturally occurring protein antibiotics produced by P. aeruginosa that have potential for human use.ObjectivesTo determine if pyocin treatment is effective in a murine model of sepsis with P. aeruginosa.MethodsRecombinant pyocins S5 and AP41 were purified tested for efficacy in a Galleria mellonella infection model and a murine model of P. aeruginosa sepsis.ResultsBoth pyocins produced no adverse effects when injected alone into mice and showed good in vitro antipseudomonal activity. In an invertebrate model of sepsis using Galleria mellonella, both pyocins significantly prolonged survival. Following injection into mice, both showed extensive distribution into different organs. When administered 5 hours after infection, both pyocins reduced mortality, with pyocin S5 being more effective than AP41.ConclusionsPyocins S5 and AP41 show in vivo biological activity and can improve survival in a murine model of P. aeruginosa infection. They hold promise as novel antimicrobial agents for treatment of multi-drug resistant infections with this microbe.

scholarly journals Ambisome shows potent anti-Candida auris in vitro and in vivo activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Ghannoum ◽  
Janet Herrada ◽  
Ahmed Gamal ◽  
Lisa Long ◽  
Thomas McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Candida Auris

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug resistant Candida species that has been reported in many parts of the world for causing severe illness in hospitalized patients especially bloodstream infections. The challenge with this type of yeast is its resistance to commonly used antifungal drugs, thus identifying antifungals that are effective against this species is critical. In this study, we determined the in vitro activity of Ambisome against 35 clinical isolates of C. auris using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay as well as the efficacy of Ambisome compared to Amphotericin B and fluconazole using a C. auris murine disseminated model. Antifungal activity of C. auris against Ambisome and comparators was assessed using amicrodilution method performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) M27-A4 methodology. Mice were immunocompromised and challenged with 3 x 107 C. auris blastopores in 0.1 ml of normal saline (via the tail vein). Treatment efficacy was assessed by determining reductions in mortality as well as decrease in tissue fungal burden (CFUs). Ambisome showed lower MIC50 and MIC90 values (1 and 2 μg/mL, respectively) than the comparators tested. Significant efficacy was observed in the Ambisome 7.5 mg/kg -treated group (100% and 90% survival by day 7- and 14-days post inoculation, respectively). Additionally, Ambisome and fluconazole treated groups showed significant reduction in CFUs in the kidneys (P- values of 0.028 and 0.022, respectively) compared to the untreated group. Our data shows that Ambisome shows significant antifungal activity against C. auris in vitro as well as in vivo.

scholarly journals Galleria mellonella as a Good Model to Study Acinetobacter baumannii Pathogenesis

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1483
Author(s):  
Ye Tao ◽  
Luminita Duma ◽  
Yannick Rossez
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Pathogen Virulence ◽  
Reliable Model ◽  
Host Pathogen ◽  
Comprehensive Comparison ◽  
Therapy Strategies

The invertebrate model, Galleria mellonella, has been widely used to study host–pathogen interactions due to its cheapness, ease of handling, and similar mammalian innate immune system. G. mellonella larvae have been proven to be useful and a reliable model for analyzing pathogenesis mechanisms of multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic pathogen difficult to kill. This review describes the detailed experimental design of G. mellonella/A. baumannii models, and provides a comprehensive comparison of various virulence factors and therapy strategies using the G. mellonella host. These investigations highlight the importance of this host–pathogen model for in vivo pathogen virulence studies. On the long term, further development of the G. mellonella/A. baumannii model will offer promising insights for clinical treatments of A. baumannii infection.

scholarly journals Combined With Mefloquine, Resurrect Colistin Active in Colistin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Zhang ◽  
Yining Zhao ◽  
Luozhu Feng ◽  
Mengxin Xu ◽  
Yiru Ge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Infection Model

Colistin is a polymyxin antibiotic that is widely used for the treatment of multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, as the last resort. Over the past few years, unreasonable use of antibiotics has resulted in an increase in MDR strains, including colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa. The present study aimed to explore the synergistic effects of mefloquine in combination with colistin for the treatment of colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa in vivo and in vitro. The synergistic effect of the combination of mefloquine and colistin was investigated in vitro using checkerboard method, time-killing assay, biofilm formation inhibition test, and biofilm eradication test. The study also explored the synergistic effects of this combination of drugs in vivo, using a Galleria mellonella infection model. The results for checkerboard method and time killing curve indicated that mefloquine in combination with colistin showed a good antibacterial activity. Furthermore, the combination of these two drugs inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated pre-formed mature biofilms. This synergistic effect was visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wherein the results showed that the combination of mefloquine and colistin reduced biofilm formation significantly. Further, the application of this combination of drugs to in vivo infection model significantly increased the survival rate of G. mellonella larvae. Altogether, the combination of mefloquine and colistin showed a good synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo, and highlighted its potential to be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa infection.

scholarly journals In Vitro Characterization and In Vivo Efficacy Assessment in Galleria mellonella Larvae of Newly Isolated Bacteriophages against Escherichia coli K1

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2005
Author(s):  
Céline Antoine ◽  
Fanny Laforêt ◽  
Bob Blasdel ◽  
Abdoulaye Fall ◽  
Jean-Noël Duprez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Neonatal Meningitis ◽  
Capsular Type ◽  
In Vivo Efficacy ◽  
E Coli

Extra-intestinal Escherichia coli express several virulence factors that increase their ability to colonize and survive in different localizations. The K1 capsular type is involved in several infections, including meningitis, urinary tract, and bloodstream infections. The aims of this work were to isolate, characterize, and assess the in vivo efficacy of phages targeting avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) O18:K1, which shares many similarities with the human strains responsible for neonatal meningitis. Eleven phages were isolated against APEC O18:K1, and four of them presenting a narrow spectrum targeting E. coli K1 strains were further studied. The newly isolated phages vB_EcoS_K1-ULINTec2 were similar to the Siphoviridae family, and vB_EcoP_K1-ULINTec4, vB_EcoP_K1-ULINTec6, and vB_EcoP_K1-ULINTec7 to the Autographiviridae family. They are capsular type (K1) dependent and present several advantages characteristic of lytic phages, such as a short adsorption time and latent period. vB_EcoP_K1-ULINTec7 is able to target both K1 and K5 strains. This study shows that these phages replicate efficiently, both in vitro and in vivo in the Galleria mellonella model. Phage treatment increases the larvae survival rates, even though none of the phages were able to eliminate the bacterial load.

Effects of Probiotics in the Management of Infected Chronic Wounds: From Cell Culture to Human Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-206
Author(s):  
Brognara Lorenzo ◽  
Salmaso Luca ◽  
Mazzotti Antonio ◽  
Di M. Alberto ◽  
Faldini Cesare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Keywords Probiotics

Background: Chronic wounds are commonly associated with polymicrobial biofilm infections. In the last years, the extensive use of antibiotics has generated several antibiotic-resistant variants. To overcome this issue, alternative natural treatments have been proposed, including the use of microorganisms like probiotics. The aim of this manuscript was to review current literature concerning the application of probiotics for the treatment of infected chronic wounds. Methods: Relevant articles were searched in the Medline database using PubMed and Scholar, using the keywords “probiotics” and “wound” and “injuries”, “probiotics” and “wound” and “ulcer”, “biofilm” and “probiotics” and “wound”, “biofilm” and “ulcer” and “probiotics”, “biofilm” and “ulcer” and “probiotics”, “probiotics” and “wound”. Results: The research initially included 253 articles. After removal of duplicate studies, and selection according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 research articles were included and reviewed, accounting for 12 in vitro, 8 in vivo studies and 2 human studies (three articles dealing with animal experiments included also in vitro testing). Most of the published studies about the effects of probiotics for the treatment of infected chronic wounds reported a partial inhibition of microbial growth, biofilm formation and quorum sensing. Discussion: The application of probiotics represents an intriguing option in the treatment of infected chronic wounds with multidrug-resistant bacteria; however, current results are difficult to compare due to the heterogeneity in methodology, laboratory techniques, and applied clinical protocols. Lactobacillus plantarum currently represents the most studied strain, showing a positive application in burns compared to guideline treatments, and an additional mean in chronic wound infections. Conclusions: Although preliminary evidence supports the use of specific strains of probiotics in certain clinical settings such as infected chronic wounds, large, long-term clinical trials are still lacking, and further research is needed.

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