Evaluating the antibacterial effect of Dermatocarpon miniatum on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus retrieved from burn wound

Abstract

Background: The alarming rise of resistant microorganisms is becoming a serious health threat today. Consequently, there is a pressing need to obtain novel compounds with antimicrobial properties. In this regard, lichens are promising substances with antimicrobial potential to control different microbial strains, including fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and viruses. Objectives: This study explored the efficacy of Dermatocarpon miniatum in treating burn wound infections. We examined twenty-four Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from patients admitted to Imam Moussa Kazem Hospital of Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In this interventional study, we assessed the antibacterial activity of D. miniatum against MRSA using the microdilution broth method. Biofilm inhibitory was evaluated through microtiter plate technique. Additionally, the effect of D. miniatum on the icaA gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results: The methanolic extract of D. miniatum exhibited significant antibacterial activity against MRSA strains. Additionally, at a concentration of ½ MIC, the extract demonstrated a 65% inhibition of biofilm formation. Moreover, a sub-MIC concentration (1/4) of D. miniatum was effective in reducing the expression of the icaA gene.Conclusion: The results of the present study reveal that D. miniatum extract can be used as a promising antibacterial agent against MRSA strains commonly found in wound biofilms.

Keywords

• dermatocarpon miniatum
• biofilm
• methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
• extract
• antimicrobial