In vitro activity of N-acetylcysteine against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Burkholderia cepacia complex grown in planktonic phase and biofilm

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 1;13(10):e0203941. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203941. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) have been increasingly recognized as relevant pathogens in hospitalized, immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. As a result of complex mechanisms, including biofilm formation and multidrug resistance phenotype, S. maltophilia and Bcc respiratory infections are often refractory to therapy, and have been associated with a worse outcome in CF patients. Here we demonstrate for the first time that N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may exhibit antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against these pathogens. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of high NAC concentrations, potentially achievable by topical administration, was tested against a collection of S. maltophilia (n = 19) and Bcc (n = 19) strains, including strains from CF patients with acquired resistance traits. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) ranged from 16 to 32 mg/ml and from 32 to >32 mg/ml, respectively. Sub-MIC concentrations (i.e., 0.25 × MIC) slowed down the growth kinetics of most strains. In time-kill assays, 2-day-old biofilms were more affected than planktonic cultures, suggesting a specific antibiofilm activity of NAC against these pathogens. Indeed, a dose- and time-dependent antibiofilm activity of NAC against most of the S. maltophilia and Bcc strains tested was observed, with a sizable antibiofilm activity observed also at 0.5 and 1 × MIC NAC concentrations. Furthermore, at those concentrations, NAC was also shown to significantly inhibit biofilm formation with the great majority of tested strains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Burkholderia cepacia complex / drug effects
  • Burkholderia cepacia complex / growth & development*
  • Burkholderia cepacia complex / isolation & purification
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plankton / drug effects*
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / drug effects
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / growth & development*
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / isolation & purification
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Acetylcysteine

Grants and funding

This work was funded by a research grant from Zambon S.p.A. FS is employed at Corporate Respiratory Medical Affairs, Zambon S.p.A. Zambon S.p.A. provided support in the form of salary for author FS, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific role of this author is articulated in the "author contributions" section.