Synergistic effect between nisin and polymyxin B against pandrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Article

Full Text via DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.03.009 PMID: 30880230 Web of Science: 000465383400019

Cited authors

  • Thomas, Varsha M.; Brown, Ryan M.; Ashcraft, Deborah S.; Pankey, George A.

Abstract

  • Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen predominantly associated with nosocomial infections. The World Health Organization's data on antibiotic-resistant 'priority pathogens' reports carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii as a pathogen which is in critical need of research and development of new antimicrobials. Emerging resistance against polymyxins, last-resort drugs for carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, increases the need for new therapeutic approaches such as synergistic combinations. Nisin, an antibacterial peptide produced by the Gram-positive bacteria L. lactis, is a US Food and Drug Administration approved food preservative with bactericidal action predominantly against other Gram-positive bacteria. A 2008 study reported that topical nisin was effective against staphylococcal mastitis in humans. Additionally, nisin has shown activity against Gram-negative bacteria in combination with antimicrobials such as polymyxin B. A recent in vitro study reported that nisin and polymyxin B exhibited synergistic activity against one isolate each of A. baumannii, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus using time-kill assay and checkerboard technique. We evaluated the synergistic potential of nisin and polymyxin B against 15 unique clinical A. baumannii isolates using time-kill assay. Three of eight (38%) extensively drug-resistant and six of seven (86%) pandrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates showed synergy with one or more combinations of nisin and polymyxin B. The synergy seen with the use of lower concentrations of polymyxin B may help in reducing the dose-dependent side effects. Additional studies involving pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nisin are required to explore clinical possibilities. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Publication date

  • 2019

Category

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0924-8579

Start page

  • 663

End page

  • 668

Volume

  • 53

Issue

  • 5