The synthetic peptide CD4-PP has a positive bactericidal effect against urinary tract bacteria, even those resistant to antibiotics.
Biofilm Formation in Urinary Catheters Inhibited by Novel Compound
It is well-known that patients fitted with long-term bladder catheters face a potentially serious complication caused by a Gram-negative bacteria Proteus mirabilis
It is well-known that patients fitted with long-term bladder catheters face a potentially serious complication caused by a Gram-negative bacteria Proteus mirabilis
‘Patients who have indwelling urinary catheters often suffer from urinary tract infections, which can be difficult to treat.’
Patients, who are treated with indwelling catheters through the urethra, often have bacterial colonization in their urine after a period of time. However, these bacteria can cause infections that are sometimes difficult to treat and can even be life-threatening. “Increased antibiotic resistance further reduces the chances of successful treatment, therefore alternatives to traditional antibiotic treatment are an important aspect,” says John Kerr White, researcher at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, and shared first author.
Risks of a Urinary Catheter
A possible alternative treatment focuses on the use of antimicrobial peptides, naturally found in the body. They have among other things, antibacterial qualities, but the disadvantage is their relatively short lifespan. In recent years, antimicrobial peptides have been synthetically developed to improve their stability and efficacy against bacteria, whilst being harmless to the body’s own cells.Annelie Brauner’s research group has studied a specific synthetic antimicrobial peptide, CD4-PP, which was developed by Professor Ulf Göransson´s research group, Uppsala University. In the study, the researchers examined what effect CD4-PP had on the most common bacterial strains that cause urinary tract infections, such as E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa.
New Infection Protocol Could Prevent Serious Infections Caused By Urinary Catheters
New infection control protocol could reduce infections from uterine catheters, and lumbar drains finds a new study.
New infection control protocol could reduce infections from uterine catheters, and lumbar drains finds a new study.
CD4-PP was also shown to be active against biofilm, a kind of mucus blanket that bacteria form, which increases their resistance to the body’s immune system as well as to different antibiotics. CD4-PP was found to prevent the formation of new biofilm and also dissolved existing biofilm. The beneficial effect was further enhanced by the fact that CD4-PP also activated the immune system to protect cells against infection.
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Quiz on Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
A urinary tract infection is infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Take the following quiz to test your knowledge about this commonly occurring infection.
A urinary tract infection is infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Take the following quiz to test your knowledge about this commonly occurring infection.
“When we applied CD4-PP together with a saline fluid on urinary catheters, we found that the adhesion of E. coli to the catheters decreased. Since bacterial adhesion is the first step of the infection process, this effect is important in preventing urinary tract infections. We now plan to further develop and refine how CD4-PP can be applied when using catheters. We will also be investigating how CD4-PP reacts to other types of bacterial strains, such as those that cause infections in wounds”, says Annelie Brauner.
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Interesting Facts about Urinary System
Urinary system eliminate waste products from our body and maintains the acid base and fluid balance of the body. The human bladder can stretch to hold about 500 ml of urine in women and 700 ml in men. Read more for interesting facts about the urinary system.
Urinary system eliminate waste products from our body and maintains the acid base and fluid balance of the body. The human bladder can stretch to hold about 500 ml of urine in women and 700 ml in men. Read more for interesting facts about the urinary system.
