engleski

Natural zeolite influence on the surface motility of Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is a human pathogen, emergence of which in hospital acquired infections increased dramatically over the last decade, both in Croatia and worldwide. Resistance of A. baumannii to antibiotics, disinfectants, and adverse conditions lead to its long persistence in hospitals. Twitching and swarming surface motility together with biofilm formation are virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenesis. Inhibition of twitching motility as a prerequisite for biofilm formation is promising tool to suppress the virulence of A. baumannii. Influence of micronized natural zeolitized tuff (NZ) on twitching and swarming surface motility of 17 isolates of A. baumannii was tested. The NZ at concentration 1-3% reduced or completely blocked the twitching motility of A. baumannii on polystyrene due to the immobilization of bacterial cells onto NZ particles. The swarming motility on the surface of semisolid medium was not reduced. Micronized NZ could find application in control of the adherence and subsequent biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria on abiotic surfaces.

bacteria ; immobilization ; twitching ; swarming ; zeolitized tuff

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