Effect of anisaxin, cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide on \kur{Borrelia burgdorferi} sensu stricto viability

Mediha KURBEGOVIĆ

Bachelor's thesis

Effect of anisaksins, cecropin-like antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on \kur{Borrelia burgdorferi} sensu stricto viability

Abstract:

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the efficiency of the antimicrobial peptide anisaxin-1, from the zoonotic nematodes of the Anisakis genus, towards Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto at different concentrations. We aimed to compare its antimicrobial properties with other anti-borrelial agents, including melittin, an antimicrobial agent found in bee venom, and the conventional antibiotics doxycycline, cefoperazone, and daptomycin. It is important to identify a new natural compound that might be used for Lyme disease treatment due to the bacterial ability to develop resistance to the antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides have been recognised as compounds that do not trigger persistent antimicrobial resistance. The analysis was performed using the live/dead bacterial staining method, fluorescent microscopy, statistical testing, and comparison with previously published data. To test statistical significance among treatments, ANOVA and Tukey-HSD were employed to determine the effect of the anisaxin at different concentrations.

Abstract:

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the efficiency of the antimicrobial peptide anisaxin-1, from the zoonotic nematodes of the Anisakis genus, towards Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto at different concentrations. We aimed to compare its antimicrobial properties with other anti-borrelial agents, including melittin, an antimicrobial agent found in bee venom, and the conventional antibiotics doxycycline, cefoperazone, and daptomycin. It is important to identify a new natural compound that might be used for Lyme disease treatment due to the bacterial ability to develop resistance to the antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides have been recognised as compounds that do not trigger persistent antimicrobial resistance. The analysis was performed using the live/dead bacterial staining method, fluorescent microscopy, statistical testing, and comparison with previously published data. To test statistical significance among treatments, ANOVA and Tukey-HSD were employed to determine the effect of the anisaxin at different concentrations.

Keywords

Borrelia burgdorferi, antimicrobial peptides, anisaxins, live/dead bacterial staining, antibiotics, Lyme disease, Anisakis

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 9. 5. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: MSc. Maryna Golovchenko

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

Faculty of Science

Bachelor programme / field:
Biological Chemistry / Biological Chemistry