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Nisin F in the treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus
Author(s) -
De Kwaadsteniet M.,
Doeschate K.T.,
Dicks L.M.T.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2008.02488.x
Subject(s) - nisin , staphylococcus aureus , respiratory tract , microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial , lactoferrin , lysozyme , respiratory system , pneumonia , biology , medicine , immunology , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics
Aims: To determine the antimicrobial activity of nisin F against Staphylococcus aureus in the respiratory tract. Methods and Results: The respiratory tract of nonimmunosuppressed and immunosuppressed Wistar rats were colonized with 4 × 10 5 viable cells of S. aureus K and then treated by administering 8192 arbitrary units (AU) nisin F intranasal. Symptoms of pneumonia were detected in the trachea and lungs of immunosuppressed rats that had not been treated with nisin F. The trachea and lungs of immunosuppressed rats treated with nisin F were healthy. No significant differences were recorded in blood cell indices. The antimicrobial activity of low concentrations nisin F (80–320 AU ml −1 ) was slightly stimulated by lysozyme and lactoferrin. Conclusions: Nisin F inhibited the growth of S. aureus K in the respiratory tract of immunocompromised rats. Treatment with nisin F at 8192 AU proofed safe, as the trachea, lungs, bronchi and haematology of the rats appeared normal. Significance and Impact of the Study: Nisin F is nontoxic and may be used to control respiratory tract infections caused by S. aureus . This is, however, a preliminary study with an animal model and need to be confirmed with studies on humans.