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Vol. 24 No. 47 (2026): 2
Published 2026-06-05
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Copyright (c) 2026 Paola Andra Santos, Luz Mary Salazar, Sharon Ochoa, Jeannette Navarrete Ospina

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from a colombian hospital: molecular characterization and in vitro activity of LL37-derived peptides

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/24629448.11776
Paola Andrea Santos Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca image/svg+xml
Luz Mary Salazar National University of Colombia image/svg+xml
Sharon Ochoa Secretaria de Salud- Hospital El Tunal
Jeannette Navarrete Ospina Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca image/svg+xml
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Introduction. Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) represent a serious global health threat. In Latin America, data on their molecular epidemiology remain limited. This is especially true because the prevalence and diversity of carbapenemase genes in Colombia remain underexplored, and there is limited evidence on the antibacterial activity of LL37-derived peptides against these multidrug-resistant bacteria. Objetive. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of carbapenemase-encoding genes in Colombian Gram-negative clinical isolates. It also evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of synthetic peptides LL37-1 and D-LL37. Methodology. Sixty-three carbapenem-resistant isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other Gram-negative species were analyzed. Carbapenemase genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaIMP) were detected by conventional PCR. The antibacterial activity of LL37-1 and D-LL37 peptides was determined using resazurin-based microdilution assays to establish the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Bacterial growth kinetics were assessed at subinhibitory levels.Results. The blaKPC gene was the most prevalent determinant, followed by blaNDM and blaVIM, indicating the coexistence of multiple carbapenemase classes. K. pneumoniae exhibited the highest frequency of blaKPC, while E. coli and P. aeruginosa carried combined blaNDM/blaVIM genes. Both peptides inhibited bacterial growth; LL37-1 showed greater efficacy (MIC 3.12–12.5 µM) than D-LL37 (6.25–25 µM). LL37-1 also delayed the bacterial lag phase, suggesting that early membrane disruption occurred. Conclusions. This study identifies the coexistence of major carbapenemase genes among Colombian CR-GNB isolates and demonstrates potent antibacterial activity of LL37-1. The findings support LL37-1 as a promising therapeutic prototype against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. 

keywords: carbapenem resistance, Gram-negative bacteria, carbapenemases, antimicrobial peptides, LL37 analogs
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How to Cite

Santos, P. A., Salazar, L. M., Ochoa, S., & Navarrete Ospina, J. (2026). Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from a colombian hospital: molecular characterization and in vitro activity of LL37-derived peptides. NOVA Biomedical Sciences Journal, 24(47), 127-145. https://doi.org/10.22490/24629448.11776
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