Effect of Piper Cubeba Extract on Biofim Producing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated from Clinical Samples

Abstract

Background: The species of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a nosocomial bacterium that increases the risk of multidrug-resistant infections, especially in vulnerable patients. The plant Piper cubeba, commonly referred to as cubeb or tailed pepper, it is specifically cultivated for its fruit and essential oil. The plant belongs to the genus Piper. The study aims at assessing the effectiveness of Piper cubeba extract against different P. aeruginosa strains that could produce biofilm and carry blaIMP gene. Method: Isolates from 85 samples (17 sputum, 40 urine and 28 diarrhea samples). Collected from Al Nasiriyah Teaching Hospital during the period of December 2021 to March 2022. Samples were cultivated using routine cultivation methods, catalase test, oxidase reaction, and the Api20E system were performed to identify P. aeruginosa. Results: Out of a total of 17 isolated samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 3 (17.64%) were from sputum, 6(35.29%) from urine, and 8 (47.05%) diarrhea samples. Out of 17 isolates 6 were sensitive in stool isolates 4 isolates were moderate sensitive and 7 isolates were resistance. Conclusion at concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/mL for Piper cubeba, respectively, the greatest MBC of plant extracts was noted. Also, all the isolates were capable of producing a biofilm by using presterilized 96-well polystyrene microtiter plates. Out of 17 isolates, 9 had a potent biofilm ability and the remaining 7 were moderate biofilm producers. Additionally, 7 of the isolates (41.17%) carried the blaIMP gene. Conclusion: Piper cubeba extract has potential as an antimicrobial agent against both sensitive and moderately resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This antimicrobial effect becomes more pronounced with an increase in the concentration of the extract. Additionally, Pseudomonas aeruginosa that produce biofilms tend to consistently produce more Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL), which can further contribute to antibiotic resistance.