To The Editor:
We read, with much interest, the paper entitled, "The Effect of
Proteolytic Enzyme Serratiopeptidase in the Treatment of Experimental
Implant-Related Infection"(1). We have studied serratiopeptidase and
its possible use in prosthetic infections since 1993(2-11).
We would ask the authors of this study where they obtained serratiopeptidase to perform their experiments?
Serratiopeptidase, as quoted in their article(1), is not available from the manufacturer. We contacted Sigma-Aldrich to buy this substance (as described in the paper) and they answered that the code doesn't exist in the Sigma catalogue.
The author(s) of this letter to the editor did not receive payment or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, educational institution, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the author(s) are affiliated or associated.
References:
1. Mecikoglu M, Saygi B, Yildirim Y, Karadag-Saygi E, Ramadan SS,
Esemenli T. The effect of proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase in the
treatment of experimental implant-related infection. J Bone Joint Surg Am.
2006; 88: 1208-1214.
2. Selan L. et al. Proteolytic enzymes: a new treatment strategy for
prosthetic infections? Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 37: 2618-
2621,1993.
3. A novel therapeutical approach acting on extracellular biofilm
matrix. ASM Conference on Biofilm 2003. Victoria (British Columbia). 1-6
Nov. 2003.
4. Russo P., Ripavecchia V., Poggiali F., Passariello C., Schippa S.,
Artini M., Selan L. Reduction of in vitro resistence of bacterial biofilms
to antibiotics by inhibition of biofilm formation process. 44th annual
Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
Washington, DC, USA. 30 Oct, 2 Nov 2004.
5. Artini M., Passariello C., Russo P., Schippa S., Poggiali F.,
Costerton W., Selan L. Modulation of AtlE gene product by
serratiopeptidase reverts Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm to antibiotic
sensibility of the planktonic form. ASM Conferences Cell-Cell
Communication in Bacteria. Banff, Alberta. 23-27 July 2004
6. Artini M., Poggiali F., Scoarughi G., Selan L. Modulazione
dell'espressione proteica in Staphyloccoccus spp. dopo trattamento con
serratiopeptidase. 330 Congresso Nazionale Societa Italiana di
microbiologia. Napoli 16-19 Ottobre 2005.
7. Selan L., Russo P., Poggiali F., Passariello C., Costerton J.W.,
Artini M. Proteases modulators of quorum sensing as a new antibiofilm
drugs. 105th ASM General Meeting Atlanta GA, USA. 5-9 June 2005.
8. Artini M.Bacterial phenotype modulation as a therapeutic strategy
against device-related infections: analysis on the molecular level. Big
Bash Biofilm Symposium. University of Southern California (USC) Los
Angeles CA, 24-28 October 2005.
9. Scoarughi GL, Longhi C, Poggiali F, Cellini A, Carpentieri A, Seganti
L, Pucci P, Amoresano A, Artini M, Selan L. Effect of a 50 kDa Metallo-
Protease from Serratia marcescens on Listeria monocytogenes Entry in
Enterocyte-Like Cells, 106th ASM General Meeting Orlando, Florida, 2125
May 2006
10. Artini M, Poggiali F, Cellini A, Scoarughi GL, Pucci P, Amoresano A,
Carpentieri A, Selan L. Modulation of Staphylococcus spp Surface Proteins
Involved in Biofilm Phenotype by a MetalloProtease Obtained from Serratia
marcescens 106th ASM General Meeting Orlando, Florida, 2125 May 2006
11. Selan L., Cellini A , Poggiali F, Scoarughi GL , Artini M.
Staphylococcus aureus Adhesion and Invasion Can be Blocked by
Serratiopeptidase a Bacterial Metallo-Protease 106th ASM General Meeting
Orlando, Florida, 21-25 May 2006
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