The antimicrobial effect of heparin on common respiratory pathogens

Aim: The mucolytic, anticoagulative, anti-inflammatory and neo- angiogenic properties of inhaled heparin may benefit patients with burns and cystic fibrosis. We assessed the antibacterial effects of unfractionated heparin. Methods: Stored clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii (n =4), Candida...

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Published in:Critical care and resuscitation 2007-06, Vol.9 (2), p.157-160, Article 157
Main Authors: Zappala, Christopher, Chandan, Snehal, George, Narelle, Faoagali, Joan, Boots, Robert J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anticoagulants - pharmacology
Candida albicans
Colony Count, Microbial
Haemophilus influenzae
Haemophilus influenzae - drug effects
Haemophilus influenzae - growth & development
Haemophilus influenzae - isolation & purification
Heparin
Heparin - pharmacology
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Methicillin resistance
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae - drug effects
Streptococcus pneumoniae - growth & development
Streptococcus pneumoniae - isolation & purification
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Summary:Aim: The mucolytic, anticoagulative, anti-inflammatory and neo- angiogenic properties of inhaled heparin may benefit patients with burns and cystic fibrosis. We assessed the antibacterial effects of unfractionated heparin. Methods: Stored clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii (n =4), Candida albicans (n = 5), Haemophilus influenzae (n =5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n =4), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n=3), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 7) were subcultured on horse blood agar, incubated at 35 degrees C overnight, then inoculated into trypticase soy broth to a density of 1 McFarland standard. Dilutions of unfractionated heparin (containing 250- 7500 U) and 100 microL of the 1.0 McFarland standard broth were incubated at 35 degrees C overnight in microtitre plates and then subcultured on horse blood agar using 1 microL standard loops. Colonies (representing viable organisms) were counted. Results: Heparin produced dose-dependent growth inhibition of three of seven S. pneumoniae isolates (complete inhibition at 2500U dose per 200 microL) and one of five H influenzae isolates (complete inhibition at 7500 U dose per 200 microL), but no inhibition of other isolates. Conclusions: Unfractionated heparin is unlikely to have antibacterial effects because of its unpredictable inhibition of growth of common respiratory pathogens. (author abstract)
ISSN:1441-2772
DOI:10.1016/S1441-2772(23)01118-3