1887

Abstract

is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens, mainly due to its ability to accumulate antibiotic-resistances and to persist in the hospital environment – characteristics related to biofilm production. It is well-known that is inhibited by the proline-rich peptide Bac7(1-35), but its putative effects at sub-MICs were never considered.

We examined the sub-MIC effect of Bac7(1-35) on the growth rate, resistance induction and some features linked to virulence.

Growth kinetics in the presence of sub-MICs of Bac7(1-35) were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Peptide uptake was quantified by cytometric analysis. The ability of Bac7(1-35) to interfere with biofilm production was investigated by the crystal violet method and confocal microscopy. Bacterial motility was observed at the interphase between a layer of a semi-solid medium and the polystyrene bottom of a Petri dish. The induction of resistance was evaluated after serial passages with sub-MICs of the peptide.

Although the MIC of Bac7(1-35) was between 2–4 µM for all tested strains, its effect on the growth rate at sub-MICs was strain-dependent and correlated with the amount of peptide internalized by each strain. Sub-MICs of Bac7(1-35) induced a strongly strain-dependent effect on biofilm formation and reduced motility in almost all strains, but interestingly the peptide did not induce resistance.

Bac7(1-35) is internalized into and is able to inhibit biofilm formation and bacterial motility, without inducing resistance. This study stresses the importance of considering possible effects that antimicrobials could have at sub-MICs, mimicking a common condition during antibiotic treatment.

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2019-08-01
2024-03-28
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