July 17, 2024

MARCoNS: In Vitro Study

Antimicrobial activity of Biocidin® and Biocidin® LSF against multiple species of microorganisms collected from human specimens

Chronic and acute infection, as well as dysbiosis are common and significant and ubiquitous health complaints. Additionally, resistant microorganisms pose a significant global health challenge, as they can withstand conventional antibiotics, leading to persistent infections and increased mortality rates. Botanicals offer a promising solution – inhibiting microbial growth, and overcoming mechanisms for resistance, while benefiting host health through activities such as immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects. In vitro research using Biocidin liquid and liposomal solution shows powerful inhibitory activity against multiple species of opportunistic and/or pathogenic organisms commonly found in nasal swabs – including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, yeast and mold species. These microbes are not isolated to the nares, and can cause dysbiosis or even infection systemically. Below is a brief review of some microbes commonly encountered in clinical practice, that were also found in patient swabs for this research.

MARCoNS

MARCoNS are a subtype of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) resistant to multiple antibiotics. Although CoNS are common commensal bacteria, they are opportunistic pathogens with significant health impacts, especially in hospital settings. They often colonize healthy individuals but pose substantial risks to immunocompromised patients, those with catheters, prosthetic implants, undergoing dialysis, with oncological diseases, as well as neonates.

CoNS species, including S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus, are gram-positive, spherical bacteria that form grape-like clusters. Unlike the more aggressive S. aureus, MARCoNS lack the coagulase enzyme and are characterized by fewer virulence factors, making them less pathogenic. However, their resistance to multiple antibiotics—such as methicillin, penicillin, aminoglycosides, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines—poses a significant treatment challenge.

MARCoNS can trigger systemic inflammation by binding to and activating inflammatory receptors like TLR-2. They also form biofilms, contributing to their persistence and resistance to treatment. This biofilm formation is particularly problematic in patients with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), a condition characterized by chronic systemic inflammation often triggered by biotoxins from mold, bacteria, and viruses.

CIRS presents with a wide array of symptoms including fatigue, joint and muscle pain, cognitive dysfunction, and sinus congestion, which can resemble chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or autoimmune disorders. Diagnosis involves detecting biotoxins and biomarkers of inflammation, such as elevated levels of transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-𝛽1), C4a, melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH), Matrix Metallopeptidase-9 (MMP9), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).

Treatment for CIRS involves avoiding biotoxin exposure, supporting detoxification, correcting nutritional deficiencies, and managing inflammation. Supporting gut health and immunity also helps in preventing overactive immune responses.

Gram Negative Bacteria

Escherichia coli - Most E. coli are harmless and part of a healthy intestinal tract. E. coli help us digest food, produce vitamins, and protect us from harmful germs. But some E. coli can make people sick with diarrhea, dysentery, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses. Infection in the body can start within hours, days, or even up to 10 days after exposure. Intermittent diarrhea alternating with constipation is the typical symptom in mild infections. Individuals with fulminating balantidiasis present with frequent mucoid, bloody stools.

Klebsiella pneumoniae - Of the pathogenic Klebsiella species, K. pneumoniae is the most prevalent and clinically important. Infections with K. pneumoniae are usually hospital-acquired and occur primarily in patients with impaired host defenses. Once the bacterium enters the body, it can display high degrees of virulence and antibiotic resistance. K. pneumoniae pneumonia is considered the most common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the United States.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa - Pseudomonas is a group of bacteria commonly found in the natural environment, such as soil and water. P. aeruginosa is the most common type to cause infections among humans, including in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract or other parts of the body after surgery. P. aeruginosa infection is a serious problem in patients hospitalized with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and burns; the case fatality is 50 percent. Infection is characterized clinically by fever, chills, severe dyspnea, copious and purulent-productive cough, cyanosis, apprehension, mental confusion, and systemic toxicity.

Gram Positive Bacteria

Staphylococcus/MRSA - The four most frequently encountered species of clinical importance are Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. S. aureus has long been recognized as one of the most important bacteria that cause disease in humans. It is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis, in addition to pneumonia, deep abscesses, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, phlebitis, mastitis and meningitis. It can also cause sepsis, which can lead to septic shock. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a globally widespread pathogen and is a major clinical burden. MRSA is highly contagious and can spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects. Although about 2% of the population carries MRSA, most people don't develop serious infections.

Streptococcus - Group A streptococcus (GAS) can cause benign infections like strep throat, impetigo, and pharyngitis, as well as more severe diseases like necrotizing fasciitis, toxic shock syndrome, and septicemia. Repeated GAS infections can also lead to rheumatic fever, which can damage the heart and joints, and glomerulonephritis.. The most significant of the alpha-haemolytic streptococci is S. pneumoniae, which is responsible for acute lower respiratory tract infection, septicaemia and meningitis. The pneumococcus can also be found in patients with septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, empyema, pericarditis, primary peritonitis and endocarditis.

Enterococcus faecalis - E. faecalis is an important human pathogen, and a major contributor to nosocomial infections. It can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic and intraabdominal infections, male reproductive tract infections affecting fertility, bacteriemia, infective endocarditis, and infections of the nervous system. They are part of the normal flora of the genital tracts and can cause infection when introduced to other sites.

Yeast/Mold

Candida albicans - Among more than 190 recognized species of Candida, C. albicans is the most commonly identified pathogen in humans. Other clinically important species include C. glabrata, C. auris, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, and C. krusei. Candida is responsible for infections like thrush and vaginal yeast infections if it is out of balance. It can cause itching, a burning sensation, vaginal discharge (white or yellow), white patches or sores in your mouth that cause loss of taste or pain when eating or swallowing.

Aspergillus - Aspergillus is a mold that can cause a range of diseases in humans, including infections, allergic reactions, and skin lesions. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common species to cause pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts, but other pathogenic species include A. niger and A. flavus. The clinical relevance of Aspergillus depends on the host's immune system and pulmonary health. Allergic aspergillosis usually affects people with asthma, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis. Chronic forms of aspergillosis usually affect people with chronic lung conditions, like COPD, sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. Invasive aspergillosis usually affects people with a weakened immune system.

In Vitro Research with Botanicals

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a liposomal herbal formulation (Biocidin LSF) against MARCoNS and other pathogens. In vitro tests showed that at an 80% concentration, Biocidin LSF inhibited 99.9% of MARCoNS-positive biofilm samples. At a 50% concentration, it inhibited 98.6-98.7% of MARCoNS growth. Additionally, it showed significant inhibition of other gram-positive bacteria (97.7%), gram-negative bacteria (99.5%), yeast (99.8%), and mold (100% at 67% concentration).

Additional research was conducted using the herbal formulation Biocidin liquid with the original study design. Biocidin liquid was tested at a 67% concentration against five MARCoNS positive, biofilm positive nares cultures and three nares cultures for gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, yeast, and mold. The Biocidin Liquid showed 100% inhibition against all organisms tested.

This research suggests that Biocidin LSF and Biocidin liquid could be a promising treatment for MARCoNS and other pathogens. However, further research is needed.

All organisms susceptible to Biocidin LSF (BCLSF) in this study:

Gram Positive Organisms:

MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus)
Corynebacterium species
Enterococcus faecalis
S. saprophyticus
Beta Strep Group A
Beta Strep Group B
Beta Strep Group C
Staph Coag Negative
Bacillus species
Alpha Streptococcus
Staphylococcus aureus
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Gram Negative Organisms:

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Enterbacter aerogenes
Proteus hauseri
Sphingomonas paucimobilis
Klebsiella oxytoka
Eschericia coli
Acinetobacter baumannii
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Comamonas testosteroni
Citrobacter koseri
Proteus mirabilis
Enterobacter cloacae
Pseudomonas luteola
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Moraxella catarrhalis

Yeast:

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa
Hortaea werneckii
Candida albicans
Candida parapsilosis
Candida guilliermondii
Candida glabrata
Candida famata
Trichosporium asahii
Cryptococcus albidus
Candida glabrata

Mold – Inhibition at 50% BCLSF

Penicillium species
Monilia sitophilia
Penicillium species
Epicocum species
Chrysosporium species
Pullularia species
Cladosporium

Mold – Inhibition at 67% BCLSF

Penicillium species #1
Penicillium species #2
Trichoderma species
Mucor species
Aspergillus niger
Alterneria species

All organisms susceptible to Biocidin liquid: