RETRACTED ARTICLE: Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm potencies of dermcidin-derived peptide DCD-1L against Acinetobacter baumannii: an in vivo wound healing model

Abstract

Background The global emergence of Acinetobacter baumannii resistance to most conventional antibiotics presents a major therapeutic challenge and necessitates the discovery of new antibacterial agents. The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo anti-biofilm potency of dermcidin-1L (DCD-1L) against extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-, pandrug-resistant (PDR)-, and ATCC19606-A. baumannii. Methods After determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DCD-1L, in vitro anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm activities of DCD-1L were evaluated. Cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity, and the effect of DCD-1L treatment on the expression of various biofilm-associated genes were determined. The inhibitory effect of DCD-1L on biofilm formation in the model of catheter-associated infection, as well as, histopathological examination of the burn wound sites of mice treated with DCD-1L were assessed. Results The bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation in all A. baumannii isolates were inhibited at 2 × , 4 × , and 8 × MIC of DCD-1L, while only 8 × MIC of DCD-1L was able to destroy the pre-formed biofilm in vitro. Also, reduce the expression of genes involved in biofilm formation was observed following DCD-1L treatment. DCD-1L without cytotoxic and hemolytic activities significantly reduced the biofilm formation in the model of catheter-associated infection. In vivo results showed that the count of A. baumannii in infected wounds was significantly decreased and the promotion in wound healing by the acceleration of skin re-epithelialization in mice was observed following treatment with 8 × MIC of DCD-1L. Conclusions Results of this study demonstrated that DCD-1L can inhibit bacterial attachment and biofilm formation and prevent the onset of infection. Taking these properties together, DCD-1L appears as a promising candidate for antimicrobial and anti-biofilm drug development.

Mechanistic Insights on the In Vitro Antibacterial Activity and In Vivo Hepatoprotective Effects of Salvinia auriculata Aubl against Methotrexate-Induced Liver Injury

“…Since then, this problem has continued to increase and evolve [ 44 ]. Currently, antibiotic resistance is highly spreading among A. baumannii , and this is a therapeutic challenge that should be addressed and considered [ 12 ]. Herein, we found that 77.78% of A. baumannii isolates were multidrug-resistant.…”

“…Acinetobacter baumannii is already one of the most common opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in clinical settings. Unfortunately, these bacteria acquire many resistance genes to many antibiotics, increasing the bacteria’s ability to survive and spread [ 12 ]. In addition, the virulence factors of these bacteria, especially their ability to form a biofilm, are an important characteristic of A. baumannii that allows them to escape the immune system and harsh environments [ 13 ].…”

In Silico Docking, Resistance Modulation and Biofilm Gene Expression in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii via Cinnamic and Gallic Acids

“…Biofilm formation is one of the pivotal virulence factors and resistance enhancers in A. baumannii [ 65 , 66 ]. Hence, it has become imperative to develop entities with antibiofilm activities [ 67 ]. In our previously published work [ 68 ], we investigated the antibiofilm activities of cinnamic and gallic acids at ¼MIC and ½MIC concentrations, and results showed that gallic acid had a superlative antibiofilm effect against strong, biofilm-forming A. baumannii isolates.…”

Computer-Based Identification of Potential Druggable Targets in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: A Combined In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Study

“…This model was selected based on the known information that wound infections are one of the most significant infections caused by A. baumannii [ 79 ]. Several studies have shown the applicability of topically applied non-antibiotic agents in the treatment of A. baumannii wound infections [ 32 , 80 , 81 , 82 ].…”