Cryptdin-2: a novel therapeutic agent for experimental Salmonella Typhimurium infection.
OBJECTIVE
Salmonella infections represent a major health hazard and have been responsible for a number of epidemics. In view of the emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains, there is a need for therapeutic alternatives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of cryptdin-2 (a Paneth cell antimicrobial peptide) against Salmonella infection.


METHODS
The bactericidal activity of cryptdin-2 against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium NCTC74 was evaluated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo on the basis of cfu enumeration.


RESULTS
The MBC of cryptdin-2 for Salmonella Typhimurium was found to be 19 mg/L. The ex vivo study demonstrated significantly higher intracellular killing of the bacteria by macrophages treated with cryptdin-2 as compared with untreated macrophages. Treatment of infected mice with cryptdin-2 resulted in significant clearance of Salmonella from livers, spleens and intestines.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic efficacy of cryptdin-2 suggests that it may be a promising option to combat Salmonella infections or at least may act as an adjunct to conventional antibiotics.
Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Block, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. rishipraveen@yahoo.com
Simran
S
Preet
Indu
I
Verma
Praveen
P
Rishi
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D023082:Defensins; D005260:Female; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects*; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023082:Defensins; D011506:Proteins; C107641:cryptdin 2