Assessment of different methods for the detection of biofilm production in coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from blood cultures of newborns

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a frequent cause of bacteremia, especially in neonates. The major virulence determinant in CoNS is the ability to produce biofilms, which is conferred by the icaADBC genes. This study aimed to assess different methods for the detection of biofilm formation in 176 CoNS isolates from blood cultures of newborns. METHODS: The presence of the icaACD genes was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and biofilm formation was assessed on congo red agar (CRA), by the tube method (TM), and on tissue culture plates (TCP). RESULTS: Of the 176 CoNS isolates, 30.1% expressed icaACD and 11.4% expressed icaAD. The CRA assay and TM showed that 42% and 38.6% of the isolates were biofilm producing, respectively. On TCP, 40.9% of the isolates produced biofilms; 21% were weakly adherent and 19.9% were strongly adherent. When compared to the gold standard technique (PCR), the CRAassay showed 79% sensitivity and 84% specificity (kappa = 0.64), TM showed 78% sensitivity and 89% specificity (kappa = 0.68), and TCP showed 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity (kappa = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, ~42% of CoNS isolates produced biofilms, and the presence of icaACD was associated with a greater capacity to form biofilms. Compared to the other phenotypic methodologies, TCP is an ideal procedure for routine laboratory use.

Synergistic antibacterial effect of statins with the complex {[1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-phenyltriazene N 3 -oxide-κ 2 N 1,O 4 ](dimethylbenzylamine-κ 2 C 1, N 4 )palladium(II)}

Abstract The treatment of infections caused by resistant microorganisms represents a big challenge in healthcare due to limited treatment options. For this reason, the discovery of new active substances which are able to perform innovative and selective actions is of great impact nowadays. Statins and triazenes (TZC) have consolidated as a promising class of compounds, characterized by the expressive biological activity, especially antimicrobial activities. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro synergistic antibacterial effect of the association of statins and a new TZC complex {[1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-phenyltriazene N 3-oxide-κ 2 N 1,O 4](dimethylbenzylamine-κ 2 C 1,N 4)palladium(II)} (Pd(DMBA)LBr) against American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) strains and clinical isolates. The complex and the statins showed bacterial activity of all tested strains and clinical isolates, evidencing that TZC complexion with metals can be promising. Simvastatin showed synergy when associated to the complex (FICI≤0.5), being the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 µg mL-1 found in 6 samples. Thus, it is possible to infer that the association between Pd(DMBA)LBr and simvastatin consists of an alternative to increase the pontential of these compounds, since statins have low toxicity.

Phenotypic methods for screening carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and assessment of their antimicrobial susceptibility profile

Abstract INTRODUCTION: In this study, we used phenotypic methods to screen carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CREs) and evaluated their antimicrobial sensitivity profile. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-eight CREs were isolated at a university hospital in south Brazil in a one-year period. Samples were assessed using disk diffusion tests with inhibitors of β-lactamases such as phenylboronic acid (AFB), cloxacillin (CLOXA), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Strains with differences in zone diameters ≥ 5mm for disks supplemented or not were considered producers of carbapenemases. RESULTS: Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent CRE, which appeared in 80.3% cases (n = 143). Among clinical materials, the rectal swab was responsible for 43.4% of the isolations (n = 62), followed by urine (18.9%; n = 27). Among the CREs identified in this study, the growth of 56.7% (n = 101) isolates, which were putative producers of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), were inhibited by AFB, whereas 7.3% (n = 13) isolates were inhibited by both AFB and CLOXA and were considered as putative producers of plasmid-mediated AmpC; approximately 3.4% (n = 6) were inhibited by EDTA, which possibly produced metallo-β-lactamase. Lastly, 32.6% (n = 58) cases showed negative results for AFB, CLOXA, and EDTA sensitivity, and represented another class of β-lactamases and/or mechanism of resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Phenotypic screening of CREs is important for clinical laboratories that monitor outbreaks of resistant microbes. Phenotypic tests that use carbapenemase inhibitors and enhancers such as AFB, CLOXA, and EDTA are necessary since they are good screening methods for the detection of carbapenemases.

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of a gold(I) triazenide complex against chronic myeloid leukemia cells and biofilm producing microorganisms

ABSTRACT The enhancement of anti-leukemia therapy and the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens are major challenges in healthcare. Although a large arsenal of drugs is available, many of these become ineffective, and as a result, the discovery of new active substances occurs. Notably, triazenes (TZCs) have been consolidated as a promising class of compounds, characterized by significant biological activity, especially antiproliferative and antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study is the synthesis and characterization of a new triazenide complex of gold (I), as well as the in vitro assessment of its antiproliferative activity against the K562 cell line (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia), and antibacterial activity against bacterial isolates of biofilm-producing coagulase-negative staphylococci. The combination of TZC with gold metal tends to have a synergistic effect against all biofilm-producing isolates, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration values (MIC) between 32 and 64 µg mL-1. It has also shown activity against K562 cell line, getting an IC50=4.96 µM. Imatinib mesylate (Glivec) was used as reference, with IC50=3.86 µM. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of the activity of a TZC complexed with gold ion in the oxidation state (I) against microorganisms that produce biofilm and K562 cells.

Atividade antibacteriana de um composto triazenido com ouro frente a cepas bacterianas e isolados clínicos / Actividad antibacteriana de un triazenido compuesto de oro frente a las cepas bacterianas y los aislados clínicos / Antibacterial activity of gold complexed triazenid against bacterial strains and clinical isolates

Introdução: de uma forma alarmante, estudos demonstraram que nos últimos anos ocorreu um grande aumento na resistência bacteriana frente aos antibióticos. Consequentemente, há uma grande necessidade de descoberta de novas substâncias ativas, e entre essas, os compostos triazenos vêm demonstrado-se como uma classe promissora de metalofármacos, com significativa atividade antimicrobiana. Além do mais, a associação do radical farmacofórico triazenos com metais, como o ouro, favorece a produção de moléculas com maior atividade biológica. Objetivo: avaliar a atividade antibacteriana in vitro do composto triazenos inédito complexado com ouro no estado de oxidação I {(1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido(trifenilfosfina)ouro(I)}, frente a cepas bacterianas padrões de referência American Type Culture Collection e isolados clínicos com resistência múltipla as drogas (MDR). Métodos: a atividade antibacteriana do composto triazenos foi determinada através do método de Concentração Inibitória Mínima, baseado no Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute de 2012. A CIM foi caracterizada visualmente, como a menor concentração que inibiu completamente o crescimento dos microrganismos nos poços de diluição. Resultados: o composto em estudo apresentou pronunciada atividade antibacteriana, sendo ativo em 43,4 por cento (10/23) das bactérias testadas, mostrando-se seletivo frente a cepas Gram positivas. Conclusão: o complexo triazenos apresentou estreito espectro de ação, sendo ativo somente frente aos microrganismos classificados como Gram positivos, demonstrando assim uma alternativa para a concepção de uma nova classe de metalofármacos com atividade antibacteriana(AU)

Introducción: de una manera alarmante, los estudios han demostrado que en los últimos años hubo un gran aumento de la resistencia bacteriana a los antibióticos. Por consiguiente, hay una gran necesidad para el descubrimiento de nuevas sustancias activas, y entre estas, los compuestos triazenos se muestran como una clase prometedora de metalofármacos con actividad antimicrobiana significativa. Por otra parte, la asociación de triazeno farmacóforo radical con metales como el oro favorece la producción de moléculas con actividad biológica superior. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antibacteriana in vitro del compuesto sin precedentes triazeno complejado con oro en el estado de oxidación I {(1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido(trifenilfosfina)ouro(I)}, frente a las cepas de las normas bacterianas, cepas de referencia American Type Culture Collection y los aislados clínicos con resistencia múltiple a los medicamentos. Métodos: la actividad antibacteriana del triazeno compuesto se determinó por el método de la concentración inhibitoria mínima, sobre la base de estándares clínicos y de laboratorio de 2012. Este método se caracteriza visualmente como la menor concentración que inhibió completamente el crecimiento de microorganismos en los pocillos de dilución. Resultados: el compuesto de ensayo mostró actividad antibacteriana pronunciada, el cual fue activo en 43,4 por ciento (10/23) de las bacterias ensayadas, uy mostró ser selectivo contra las cepas grampositivas. Conclusión: el complejo triazeno mostró estrecho espectro de acción, el cual es activo solo frente a los microorganismos clasificados como grampositivos, lo que demuestra una alternativa para la concepción de una nueva clase de metalofármacos con actividad antibacteriana(AU)

Introduction: several studies have revealed that the increase of bacterial resistance to antibiotic is really alarming in the last few years. Consequently, the discovery of new active substances is a must and the triazene compounds appear as a promising class of metal drugs with significant antimicrobial action. On the other hand, the association of radical pharmacophorous triazene with metals such as gold facilitates the production of greater biological action molecules. Objective: to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of this unprecedented compound called gold complexed with triazene at oxidation state I {(1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide (triphenylphosphane) gold(I)} against the bacterial standard strains, American Type Culture Collection reference strains and the multiple drug resistance clinical isolates. Methods: the antibacterial activity of the compound triazene was estimated by the minimal inhibitory concentration method on the basis of the clinical and laboratory standards 2012. This method is visually characterized as the lowest concentration that fully inhibited the bacterial growth in the dilution wells. Results: the tested compound showed significant antibacterial activity, being active in 43.4 percent (10/23) of tested bacteria and selective for Gram-positive strains. Conclusions: triazene complex showed narrow action spectrum since it is only active against Gram-positive microorganisms, which is in turn an alternative for conception of a new class of metal drugs with antibacterial action(AU)