Antimicrobial Peptide L18R Displays a Modulating Action against Inter-Kingdom Biofilms in the Lubbock Chronic Wound Biofilm Model.

Paola Di Fermo,Silvia Di Lodovico,Laura Giovati,Luigina Cellini,Stefania Conti,Morena Petrini,Tecla Ciociola,Simonetta D’Ercole,Mara Di Giulio

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9081779

Paola Di Fermo, Silvia Di Lodovico + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9081779

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Journal: Microorganisms	Publication Date: Aug 21, 2021
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Chieti-Pescara, University of Parma

Abstract

Chronic wound infections represent an important health problem due to the reduced response to antimicrobial treatment of the pathogens organized in structured biofilms. This study investigated the effects of the previously described antifungal peptide L18R against three representative wound pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of L18R was evaluated (i) against single planktonic microbial populations; (ii) on single, dual, and triadic species of biofilms in both the early stage and mature stage; and (iii) in the polymicrobial Lubbock chronic wound biofilm (LCWB) model, mimicking spatial microbial colonization. This study used the evaluation of CFUs, biofilm biomass detection, and confocal and scanning electron microscopy analysis. L18R showed a significant antimicrobial activity against planktonic microorganisms and was able to differentially reduce the biomass of monomicrobial biofilms. No reduction of biomass was observed against the polymicrobial biofilm. In mature LCWB, L18R caused a moderate reduction in total CFU number, with a variable effect on the different microorganisms. Microscopy images confirmed a predominant presence of P. aeruginosa and a lower percentage of C. albicans cells. These findings suggest a modulating action of L18R and recommend further studies on its potential role in chronic wound management in association with conventional antibiotics or alternative treatments.

Highlights

Chronic ulcers are known to be a major global health problem and have become a challenge to healthcare systems worldwide [1]
The delayed healing process of chronic wounds is a result of pathophysiologic phenomena including prolonged or increased inflammation, inability of dermal and/or epidermal cells to respond to reparative stimuli, persistent infections, and formation of multispecies drug-resistant microbial biofilms [4]
4, and C. albicans X3 derived from patients with chronic wounds [17] were used; all patients gave their informed consent for the study

Summary

Introduction

Chronic ulcers are known to be a major global health problem and have become a challenge to healthcare systems worldwide [1]. Chronic wounds do not progress through the healing process in a timely manner, they last on average 12 to 13 months, and recur in up to 60–70% of patients with vascular disease, diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, and other comorbid conditions [2]. These ulcers usually lead to a worsening of quality of life, becoming more difficult to treat and often associated with high treatment costs [3]. Polymicrobial infections that occur in chronic wounds mainly involve microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, Microorganisms 2021, 9, 1779.

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