New findings may reduce risk for patients with urinary catheters

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The study showed that CD4-PP has a good germ-killing ability against urinary tract bacteria, and is also effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are difficult to treat with regular antibiotics, she says. Annely BrawnerD., professor of clinical microbiology in the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, and final author of the study.

CD4-PP has also been shown to be active against biofilms, the type of mucus that coats those bacteria, increasing their resistance to both the body’s immune system and various antibiotics. CD4-PP prevented new biofilm formation and also dissolved existing biofilms. The beneficial effect was further enhanced by the fact that CD4-PP also activated the immune system to protect cells from infection.

It also reduced the bacteria on the catheters

Preventing bacteria from sticking to the catheter is an important part of preventing infection.

– When we applied CD4-PP with saline to the same urinary catheter, the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the catheter decreased. The ability of bacteria to attach is the first step in the infection process and is crucial for bacteria to be able to cause infection. We will now develop and improve how CD4-PP is used in catheters. We’ll also investigate whether CD4-PP can be used against bacteria that cause other infections, such as wound infections, says Annelie Brauner.

The research was funded by the Olle Engkvist Foundation, the Stockholm District (ALF Project), the Karolinska Institutet Research Fund, the Swedish Research Council, and the Elizabeth and Alfred Alkvist Foundation. No conflict of interest has been reported.

Publishing

“A stable circulating antimicrobial peptide derived from LL 37 with host immunomodulatory effects and activity against urinary pathogens.“,” John Ker White, Taj Muhammad, Emily Alshem, Sumitra Mohanty, Anna Blasey-Romero, Sonthi Gunasekera, Adam A. Stromstedt, Natalia Ferraz, Ulf Goranson, Anneli Brunner. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciencesonline 11 Jul 2022, doi: 10.1007/s00018-022-04440-w.