Work

Activity of Gallidermin on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilms

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Due to their abilities to form strong biofilms, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the most frequently isolated pathogens in persistent and chronic implant-associated infections. As biofilm-embedded bacteria are more resistant to antibiotics and the immune system, they are extremely difficult to treat. Therefore, biofilm-active antibiotics are a major challenge. Here we investigated the effect of the lantibiotic gallidermin on two representative biofilm-forming staphylococcal species. Gallidermin inhibits not only the growth of staphylococci in a dose-dependent manner but also efficiently prevents biofilm formation by both species. The effect on biofilm might be due to repression of biofilm-related targets, such as ica (intercellular adhesin) and atl (major autolysin). However, gallidermin's killing activity on 24-h and 5-day-old biofilms was significantly decreased. A subpopulation of 0.1 to 1.0% of cells survived, comprising "persister" cells of an unknown genetic and physiological state. Like many other antibiotics, gallidermin showed only limited activity on cells within mature biofilms.

Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

DOI: 10.1128/aac.01296-12

Authors: Jongkon Saising, Linda Dube, Anne-Kathrin Ziebandt, Supayang Piyawan Voravuthikunchai, Mulugeta Nega, Friedrich Götz

Institutions: Prince of Songkla University, University of Tübingen

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft