Interference of the antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin B with the action of various antibiotics against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Scand J Infect Dis. 1999;31(2):173-7. doi: 10.1080/003655499750006236.

Abstract

The antimicrobial peptide, lactoferricin, can be generated upon gastric pepsin cleavage of lactoferrin. We have examined the interaction of lactoferricin of bovine origin, Lf-cin B, with the antibiotics penicillin G, vancomycin, gentamicin, colistin, D-cycloserine and erythromycin against E. coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. We demonstrated synergism between Lf-cin B and erythromycin against E. coli, and partial synergism between Lf-cin B and penicillin G, vancomycin and gentamicin against E. coli. Only penicillin G acted in partial synergism with Lf-cin B against S. aureus. Lf-cin B antagonized vancomycin and gentamicin against S. aureus in low concentration. We conclude that Lf-cin B may facilitate the uptake of antibiotics across the cell envelope.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cattle
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Synergism
  • Erythromycin / pharmacology
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Gentamicins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Gentamicins / pharmacology
  • Lactoferrin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Lactoferrin / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Penicillin G / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Vancomycin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vancomycin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gentamicins
  • lactoferricin B
  • Erythromycin
  • Vancomycin
  • Lactoferrin
  • Penicillin G