Efficiency of Antimicrobial Peptides Against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcal Pathogens

Abstract

Antibiotics play a vital role in saving millions of lives from fatal infections; however, the inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence and propagation of drug resistance worldwide. Multidrug-resistant bacteria represent a significant challenge to treating infections due to the limitation of available antibiotics, necessitating the investigation of alternative treatments for combating these superbugs. Under such circumstances, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including human-derived AMPs and bacteria-derived AMPs (so-called bacteriocins), are considered potential therapeutic drugs owing to their high efficacy against infectious bacteria and the poor ability of these microorganisms to develop resistance to them. Several staphylococcal species including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus are commensal bacteria and known to cause many opportunistic infectious diseases. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), are of particular concern among the critical multidrug-resistant infectious Gram-positive pathogens. Within the past decade, studies have reported promising AMPs that are effective against MRSA and other methicillin-resistant Staphylococci. This review discusses the sources and mechanisms of AMPs against staphylococcal species, as well as their potential to become chemotherapies for clinical infections caused by multidrug-resistant staphylococci.

Oreoch-1: A Peptide from Oreochromis niloticus as a Potential Tool against Staphylococci

“…In summary, as drug-resistant Staphylococci have relevantly challenged the available therapeutic options, the discovery of new antimicrobial molecules is mandatory [41]. Our results regarding the in vitro cytotoxic profile together with the interesting antibacterial and antibiofilm properties suggest that Oreoch-1 may be a potential new weapon against two staphylococcal species associated with potentially life-threatening infections.…”

“…On the other hand, the SA3 isolate showed less susceptibility to Oreoch-1, inhibiting the bacterial growth by only 66%, perhaps due to its isolation source (hemoculture) and its acquired invasiveness. Several studies have interestingly shed light on AMPs and their therapeutic potential against S. epidermidis, but to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the susceptibility of this opportunistic pathogen toward piscidins [14,[41][42][43]. In agreement with our findings, Acosta et al highlighted relevant anti-Gram-positive bacteria efficacy for Oreoch-1, recording MIC values of 5 and 3 µM against S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis, respectively, and a good cytotoxicity profile against human red blood cells [34].…”

Effect of Camel Peptide on the Biofilm of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus Formed on Orthopedic Implants

“…It is also significant in the case of infections accompanied by biofilm formation. Antimicrobial peptides are a valuable group of compounds with therapeutic potential [45,49].…”

Basic concepts, recent advances, and future perspectives in the diagnosis of bovine mastitis

“…The intramammary challenge of these mice with S. aureus revealed more intense mastitis with a high bacterial load compared to normal mice. In addition, using an external source of synthetic human cathelicidin or murine cathelicidin resulted in more resistance to S. aureus infection of the murine mammary epithelium by reducing the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 cytokines [ 103 ].…”