Influence of apitoxin and melittin from Apis mellifera bee on Staphylococcus aureus strains.

Microbial pathogenesis 2020 Apr

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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 μg/mL, and 6.7 μg/mL, for apitoxin and melittin, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were 28.7 μg/mL, and 26 μg/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. Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Ana Flávia Marques Pereira, Mariana Albano, Fernanda Cristina Bérgamo Alves, Bruna Fernanda Murbach Teles Andrade, Alessandra Furlanetto, Vera Lúcia Mores Rall, Lucilene Delazari Dos Santos, Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi, Ary Fernandes Júnior. Influence of apitoxin and melittin from Apis mellifera bee on Staphylococcus aureus strains. Microbial pathogenesis. 2020 Apr;141:104011