In vitro activity and killing effect of temporin A on nosocomial isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and interactions with clinically used antibiotics.
OBJECTIVE
To study the in vitro activity of temporin A, a basic, highly hydrophobic, antimicrobial peptide amide derived from the skin of the European red frog Rana temporaria, alone and in combination with co-amoxiclav, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, linezolid and vancomycin, against 42 nosocomial isolates of Enterococcus faecalis. Fourteen of these were resistant to vancomycin.


METHODS
Antimicrobial activity of temporin A was measured by MIC, MBC and time-kill studies and by the chequerboard titration method.


RESULTS
All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 mg/L. Combination studies carried out with E. faecalis ATCC 29212 and ATCC 51299 demonstrated synergy only when the peptide was combined with co-amoxiclav and imipenem.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that temporin A is active against E. faecalis and that its activity could be enhanced when it is combined with other antimicrobial agents.
Giacometti
Andrea
A
Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. anconacmi@interfree.it
Cirioni
Oscar
O
Kamysz
Wojciech
W
D'Amato
Giuseppina
G
Silvestri
Carmela
C
Del Prete
Maria Simona
MS
Licci
Alberto
A
Lukasiak
Jerzy
J
Scalise
Giorgio
G
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004347:Drug Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D011506:Proteins; C104501:temporin