Atividade antimicrobiana da violaceína sobre Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

Staphylococcus epidermidis is part of the human’s natural microbiota, but has pathogenic potential when it comes to infections related to medical devices. The emergence of strains resistant to several antimicrobials has created challenges in the choice of therapy. Given this scenario, it is very important to investigate new substances with antimicrobial potential. Violacein is a metabolite produced by bacteria of different species, especially Chromobacterium violaceum, which has potential antimicrobial activity on Gram-positive microorganisms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of violacein on strains of S. epidermidis forming and non-forming biofilm, as well as to evaluate its ability to act synergistically with antimicrobial drugs already marketed. VIO demonstrated excellent antimicrobial action on S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 and ATCC 35984, presenting bacteriostatic action (MIC = 10 μg / mL and 20 μg / mL for S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 and 35984, respectively) and bactericidal action (MBC = 20μg / mL for both strains). In addition, the bactericidal action was observed with short exposure times (2-3 hours). Violacein was also capable of synergistically modulating the action of several antimicrobial agents, like amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cefepime, ceftazidime, vancomycin, meropenem, ceftriaxone, cephalothin e oxacilin, on S. epidermidis, reducing MIC values for these microorganisms by up to 16 times. VIO was able to inhibit the formation of microbial biofilms at the same concentration that inhibited growth in planktonic cells and eradicated already-formed biofilm at 8-fold higher concentration (MBEC = 160 μg / mL). Its action on biofilm already formed was potentiated when associated with antimicrobial drugs already marketed, being able to completely eradicate the biofilm when associated with ciprofloxacin, in concentrations equivalent to ½ MBEC. These results show that VIO is a promising substance for the development of a new antimicrobial drug with action on this pathogen, including its biofilm, or even to be associated with already commercialized antibiotics.