Effects of Zinc Chelator TPEN in Bacterial Susceptibility to Antibiotics Beta-Lactam and Aminoglycoside

Betty Suryawati; Salsabila Resaputri Mulyono; Salsabilla Karunia Rahmah; Yusuf Ari Mashuri

Betty Suryawati Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret
Salsabila Resaputri Mulyono Undergraduate Program Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret
Salsabilla Karunia Rahmah Undergraduate Program Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret
Yusuf Ari Mashuri Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret

Keywords: zinc chelator, TPEN, bacterial susceptibility, beta-lactam, aminoglycoside

Abstract

Background: Previous research showed that zinc plays significant roles in bacterial virulence, including bacterial resistance to antibiotics which has been increasing over the year. This research aims to elucidate the effect of the addition of zinc chelator TPEN on bacterial susceptibility towards beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Methods: This was an experimental study using 30 clinical isolates of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Bacteria were inoculated into Mueller Hinton agar as control and Mueller Hinton with addition of 30 µM and 20 µM zinc chelator TPEN. Antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted using Kirby Bauer method. The difference of inhibition zone diameter was compared and analyzed using Mann-Whitney test.

Results: There was a significant difference in inhibition zone diameter of meropene (p<0.05) while no significant differences was observed in ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ampicillin, imipenem, kanamycin, amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin (p>0.05). Statistical test using the whole pair of data, showed no significant difference in inhibition diameter of control and experimental group in both beta-lactam (p>0.05) and aminoglycoside antibiotics (p>0.05).

Conclusions: The addition of zinc chelator TPEN in Mueller Hinton agar increase bacterial susceptibility to meropenem significantly. Meanwhile, it did not influence bacterial susceptibility to the other beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics.