Biosurfactant complexed with arginine has antibiofilm activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Aim: The present study investigated the antimicrobial effectiveness of a rhamnolipid complexed with arginine (RLMIX_Arg) against planktonic cells and biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methodology: Susceptibility testing was performed using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute protocol: M07-A10, checkerboard test, biofilm in plates and catheters and flow cytometry were used. Result: RLMIX_Arg has bactericidal and synergistic activity with oxacillin. RLMIX_Arg inhibits the formation of MRSA biofilms on plates at sub-inhibitory concentrations and has antibiofilm action against MRSA in peripheral venous catheters. Catheters impregnated with RLMIX_Arg reduce the formation of MRSA biofilms. Conclusion: RLMIX_Arg exhibits potential for application in preventing infections related to methicillin-resistant S. aureus biofilms.

Summary points

• 80% of chronic resistant infections are associated with biofilms.

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen associated with nosocomial infections, and particularly catheter-related infections.

• The development of new therapeutic strategies is imperative to mitigate the impact of MRSA infections.

• Amphiphilic structures, like rhamnolipids can modify the interaction between microorganisms and surfaces, disrupting cell adhesion and permeability.

• The use of cationic rhamnolipids offers even greater versatility when compared with their anionic counterparts.

• Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of RLMIX_Arg ranged from 4 to 16 μg/ml.

• It was found that 37.5% (6) of the strains showed synergism, 56.25% (9) had an additive relationship and 6.25% (1) showed antagonism for the combination of RLMIX_Arg and oxacillin.

• This research demonstrates the efficacy of RLMIX_Arg in inhibiting S. aureus biofilm formation and its potential for disassembling mature biofilms within peripheral venous catheters at a concentration of 4 mg/ml and 80 μg/ml.

• After impregnating the catheter with 4 mg of RLMIX_Arg, the adhesion of S. aureus cells on the catheter surface was also reduced.

• The rhamnolipid complexed with the amino acid arginine, has demonstrated antimicrobial potential against methicillin-resistant S. aureus.

Keywords: :

• biofilms
• medical catheter
• MRSA
• Staphylococcus aureus
• surfactants

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper, please visit the journal website at: www.futuremedicine.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/fmb-2023-0271

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Central Analítica-UFC for support with the microscopy tests, CAPES for support and Grant PID2022-136354-NB100 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF” A way of making Europe.

Author contributions

F Daiana Dias Barroso: methodology, investigation, writing - original draft. L Juvêncio da Silva: methodology, investigation, writing - original draft. H Almeida Queiroz: methodology, investigation, writing - original draft. L Gurgel Valente do Amaral: methodology, investigation. A Ramos da Silva: methodology, investigation. C Rocha da Silva: conceptualization, validation, supervision. J Batista de Andrade Neto: methodology, investigation. B Coelho Cavalcante: methodology, investigation, formal analysis. H Vitoriano Nobre Júnior: conceptualization, validation, supervision. M. Odorico de Moraes: methodology, investigation, formal analysis. A Pinazo: visualization, formal analysis. L Pérez: visualization, formal analysis.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Competing interest disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.