Combating Biofilm: Melatonin's Role in Mitigating Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens in Cancer

Shamsi, Shamsi S.; Ahmed, Khajida M.; Al-Griw, Huda H.; Abobaker, Abdelgani M.; Abdulnabi, Fatima A.; Alhashemi, Mofida S.; Alshebani, Heba O.; Hassan, Nabeha F.

doi:10.21608/ejmm.2025.327626.1358

	Combating Biofilm: Melatonin's Role in Mitigating Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens in Cancer
Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology
Volume 34, Issue 3, July 2025, Page 121-129 PDF (529.83 K)
Document Type: New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.
DOI: 10.21608/ejmm.2025.327626.1358
View on SCiNiTO
Authors
Shamsi S. Shamsi ¹; Khajida M. Ahmed²; Huda H. Al-Griw³; Abdelgani M. Abobaker⁴; Fatima A. Abdulnabi⁴; Mofida S. Alhashemi⁵; Heba O. Alshebani⁵; Nabeha F. Hassan⁵
¹Sebha University, Faculty of Medical Technology, Department of Medical Laboratory, Sebha, Libya
²Sebha University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Sebha, Libya
³University of Tripoli, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Libya
⁴Sebha University, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Sebha, Libya
⁵Sebha University, Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology, Sebha, Libya
Abstract
*Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs), are prevalent in cancer patients, due to long-term immunosuppression. Uropathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, complicate treatment through biofilm formation, enhancing antibiotic resistance. Recent studies has explored the potential of melatonin, an antioxidant hormone, to disrupt bacterial biofilms. Objective(s): This study analyzes the antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic bacteria from cancer patients and evaluates the efficacy of melatonin in inhibiting biofilm formation in these MDR strains. Methodology: 65 urine samples from cancer patients were collected at Sabha Oncology Center. Bacteria were identified using standard techniques, and antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated via the Kirby-Bauer method. Biofilm formation was measured using crystal violet staining, and melatonin’s antibiofilm activity was tested from 10 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. Results: E. coli was the most prevalent pathogen (32.69%), followed by K. pneumoniae (17.30%) and P. aeruginosa (15.38%). All isolates exhibited high resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefotaxime with Strong biofilm. Melatonin notably inhibited E. coli biofilm formation at higher concentrations, with lesser effects on K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. Conclusion*: The prevalence of MDR uropathogens and their biofilms formation underscore the need for new therapies in cancer patients. Melatonin may serves as a complementary treatment to inhibit biofilm, particularly in E. coli. Additional research is required to assess its clinical application in managing biofilm-associated infections.
Keywords
Multidrug-resistant bacteria; biofilms; antibiofilm activity; Urinary tract infections (UTIs); Cancer patient infections


Statistics Article View: 323 PDF Download: 32