Distinct stress responses to pyocyanin by planktonic and sessile Staphylococcus aureus UFPEDA 02 and Escherichia coli UFPEDA 224 / Respostas distintas ao estresse causado pela piocianina em células planctônicas e sésseis de Staphylococcus aureus UFPEDA 02 e Escherichia coli UFPEDA 224

Abstract

Antimicrobial activity of pyocyanin against competing organisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is related to the oxidative stress that the compound promotes in susceptible cells. The objective of this work was to produce, extract and verify the activity of pyocyanin in planktonic and sessile forms from clinical strains, Staphylococcus aureus UFPEDA 02 and Escherichia coli UFPEDA 224. About 600 µg/mL of pyocyanin were obtained. The planktonic cells were highly sensitive. The MIC determined for S. aureus UFPEDA 02 and E. coli UFPEDA 224 were 18.75 and 37.5 µg/mL, respectively. The pyocyanin demonstrated biocidal effect against S. aureus UFPEDA 02. On the other hand, pyocyanin was not active in either sessile strain. The presence of the pigment allowed a greater adherence of the strains, forming more robust biofilms compared to the control. S. aureus UFPEDA 02 and E. coli UFPEDA 224 presented moderate and high hydrophobicity, respectively. Glass and dolomite surfaces were tested in the in vitro biofilm test. Both strains formed the biofilm better on the dolomite surface, obtaining a cell concentration (MPN/cm2) in the order of 3 log units after 48h of incubation.