title: In vitro activity of amphibian peptides alone and in combination with antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens isolated from surgical wound infection.
abstract: The in vitro activities of three amphibian peptides magainin II amide, citropin 1.1 and temporin A alone and in combination with eight clinically used antimicrobial agents (imipenem, ceftazidime, clarithromycin, vancomycin, amikacin, polymyxin E, ciprofloxacin and linezolid) were investigated against several multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from surgical wound infections. Antimicrobial activities were measured by MIC, MBC and time-kill studies. P. aeruginosa strains were more susceptible to magainin II amide and less susceptible to temporin A. S. aureus isolates were highly susceptible to temporin A and citropin 1.1. The combination studies showed synergy between citropin 1.1 and clarithromycin. Magainin II amide and temporin A showed synergism with imipenem and ceftazidime. Finally, all peptides showed synergistic effects with polymyxin E. These results provide evidence for the potential use of these antimicrobial peptides in the topical or systemic treatment of surgical wound infections.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Clinica Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Regionale, via Conca 71, 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: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Licci
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Łukasiak
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scalise
mesh_terms: D029845:Amphibian Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D029845:Amphibian Proteins; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents