Unleashing IbKTP-NH2, a kyotorphin derivative, against bacterial and fungal multispecies biofilm adhesion and viability on materials.

Aims: Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) are a major global health concern, contributing to increased mortality and substantial economic burden on healthcare systems. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the peptide kyotorphin conjugated with ibuprofen (IbKTP-NH2) in inhibiting multispecies biofilms formed by Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly in the context of biofilm-associated infections linked to implanted medical devices.

Methods and results: Multispecies biofilms were cultured on polymeric and metallic materials. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to determine the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentrations (MBIC) of IbKTP-NH2 against the tested strains. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to analyze biofilm architecture, focusing on extracellular matrix production, cell density, and morphology. The study found that the MBIC for bacterial strains ranged from 46.5 to 1 mM. SEM analysis revealed significant biofilm disruption, characterized by reduced extracellular matrix production, decreased cell numbers, and altered cell morphology, indicating effective antimicrobial activity of IbKTP-NH2.

Conclusion: The peptide IbKTP-NH2 demonstrates substantial inhibition of multispecies biofilms on both polymeric and metallic surfaces. These findings underscore its potential as an antimicrobial agent with possible antivirulence properties, and highlights IbKTP-NH2 as a promising candidate for the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing and controlling HAI and addressing chronic wound pathogens.