Antimicrobial potential of a biosurfactant gel for the prevention of mixed biofilms formed by fluconazole-resistant C. albicans and methicillin-resistant S. aureus in catheters

• Published in: Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 165 - 176
• Main Authors: da Silva, Cecília Rocha, Sá, Lívia Gurgel do Amaral Valente, Andrade Neto, João Batista de, Barroso, Fátima Daiana Dias, Cabral, Vitória Pessoa de Farias, Rodrigues, Daniel Sampaio, da Silva, Lisandra Juvêncio, Lima, Iri Sandro Pampolha, Pérez, Lourdes, Ramos da Silva, Anderson, Moreira, Denise Ramos, Ricardo, Nágila Maria Pontes Silva, Nobre, Hélio Vitoriano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 07.02.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial activity; Antimicrobial agents; biofilm; Biofilms; Biosurfactant; Biosurfactants; Candida albicans; catheter; Catheters; Cell viability; Disease resistance; Drug resistance; Durability; Electron microscopy; Fluconazole; Fluconazole - pharmacology; gel; Gels; Medical instruments; Methicillin; Methicillin Resistance; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Poloxamer - pharmacology; Poloxamers; Scanning electron microscopy; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus infections; Surfactants; Virulence; Biosurfactant; Candida albicans; catheter; Staphylococcus aureus; biofilm; gel
• ISSN: 0892-7014; 1029-2454
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2024.2324028

Dual-species biofilms formed by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus have high virulence and drug resistance. In this context, biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been widely studied, of which a new derivative (RLmix_Arg) stands out for possible application in formulations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of RLmix_Arg, both alone and incorporated in a gel prepared with Pluronic F-127, against dual-species biofilms of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans (FRCA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in impregnated catheters. Broth microdilution tests, MTT reduction assays of mature biofilms, impregnation of RLmix_Arg and its gel in peripheral venous catheters, durability tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. RLmix_Arg showed antimicrobial activity against Candida spp. and S. aureus, by reducing the cell viability of mixed biofilms of FRCA and MRSA, and preventing their formation in a peripheral venous catheter. The incorporation of this biosurfactant in the Pluronic F-127 gel considerably enhanced its antibiofilm activity. Thus, RLmix_Arg has potential application in gels for impregnation in peripheral venous catheters, helping to prevent development of dual-species biofilms of FRCA and MRSA.