title: Comparative activities of cecropin A, melittin, and cecropin A-melittin peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 against multidrug-resistant nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.
abstract: The in vitro activity of three polycationic peptides, cecropin A, melittin, and cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2, alone and in combination with various clinically used antimicrobial agents, was investigated against 32 nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial activities were measured by MIC, MBC and bacterial killing assay. The peptides demonstrated different ranges of inhibitory values: overall, the organisms were more susceptible to CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 (MIC range, 0.25-16 mg/l) than to cecropin A (0.50-32 mg/l) and melittin (0.50-32 mg/l). Synergy was observed when CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 and melittin were combined with beta-lactam antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Ancona, c/o Ospedale Regionale, via Conca, I-60020 Ancona, Italy. anconacmi@interfree.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cirioni
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kamysz
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Amato
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: Maria Simona
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Łukasiak
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scalise
mesh_terms: D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000187:drug effects*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D008555:Melitten / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C435762:cecropin A(1-7)melittin(2-9); D008555:Melitten; C031161:cecropin A