Description
Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:57:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-04-01
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Electronic Microscopy Center, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu (IBB), Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
The antibacterial activities of apitoxin, a venom produced by Apis mellifera bee, and melittin, an antimicrobial peptide from apitoxin, were tested against planktonic and biofilm states of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA), including clinical, and enterotoxin-producing isolates. Also, the synergism of apitoxin and melittin in combination with oxacillin were evaluated as well. The induced morphological changes on S. aureus cells of both products were detected by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 7.2 mu g/mL, and 6.7 mu g/mL, for apitoxin and melittin, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were 28.7 mu g/mL, and 26 mu g/mL for apitoxin and melittin, respectively. The time-kill curve assays of apitoxin or melittin with oxacillin exhibited bactericidal synergism against MRSA isolates. TEM images showed cell distortion, cell disintegration with leakage of cytoplasmic content and loss of cytoplasm content. However, apitoxin and melittin did not interfere with staphylococcal enterotoxin production or release. Thus, apitoxin and melittin are potential agents against MRSA that can serve as possible models for new antibacterial drugs.
Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, BR-18618691 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Sao Paulo State Univ, CEVAP Ctr Study Venoms & Venomous Anim, BR-18610307 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, BR-18618691 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Sao Paulo State Univ, CEVAP Ctr Study Venoms & Venomous Anim, BR-18610307 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
FAPESP: 2015/14278-6
CNPq: 162208/2015-4
