Detection of gene in carbapenem-resistant strains and targeting with biocompounds.

Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) is considered highly virulent due to csgA gene-mediated biofilm formation. The present study aimed to target the same gene, employing the antibiofilm effect of () essential oil compounds among CRAB strains.

Materials And Methods: A semi-quantitative adherent bioassay was performed to detect the biofilm formation in 73 CRAB strains. This was followed by molecular characterization, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification, and gene sequencing. An antibiofilm assay under in vitro conditions, with essential oils of was performed. This was followed with further docking analysis of csgA protein with the selected compounds from the essential oils. A Molinspiration assessment was also done to elicit the drug likeliness of the biocompounds.

Results: The biofilm assay showed 58.9% as high-grade and 31.5% as low-grade biofilm formers, while 9.58% were non-biofilm formers. Molecular characterization of the gene showed 20.54% (15/73) positivity. The strains that were imipenem resistant also showed the gene to be present (100%; 15/15), with 60% (9/15) and 20% (3/15) for meropenem and doripenem resistance respectively. A crystal violet assay for determining cell viability was done in vitro, which gave Minimum biofilm inhibition concentrations of 50% (MBEC50) at 25 µl and 90% (MBEC90) at 50 µl. The docking analysis done showed benzofuran to possess the lowest binding energy and highest hydrogen bond interactions.

Conclusion: The results indicate benzofuran, from the essential oils, to be effective in targeting the gene among CRAB strains. Additionally, validation of these findings through studies is required.