Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial Gaultheria procumbens contra as cepas de Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Abstract

The oral biofilm contains a wide variety of microorganisms, mostly bacteria, which are responsible for the development of various infections, such as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is of infectious and inflammatory origin, caused by the bacteria present in the biofilm. It acts by destroying the protective and supporting tissues of the dental elements, involving local, systemic, environmental and genetic factors. Studies show that periodontal disease has a direct relationship with various systemic morbidities, including respiratory problems, where nosocomial pneumonia has been highlighted, as there is a relationship between it and the microorganisms present in the oral cavity, including Klebsiella pneumoniae. The resistance of this bacteria to antimicrobials has become increasingly frequent, so the search for alternative treatments has increased, including natural products, especially essential oils, as they have numerous therapeutic activities against various microorganisms, including the essential oil of Gaultheria procumbens, which has antimicrobial, anti-adherent and anti-inflammatory activities, among others. The aim of this research was to analyze the possible antimicrobial and anti-adherent potential of Gaultheria procumbens essential oil against strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae. To carry out this research, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) technique was used, which was determined by the microdilution technique in plates containing 96 sterile holes, and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) will be read 48 hours after the MIC, using plates with 96 holes. This research showed that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranged from 256 μg/mL to 1024 μg/mL. Six strains were tested, including ATCC 101, which had a MIC of 256 μg/mL, 102 and 104 of 512 μg/mL, 103 of 1024 μg/mL, while strain 105 had a MIC greater than 1024 μg/mL. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) ranged from 1024 μg/mL to 256 μg/mL, where the ATCC strain had an MBC equal to 256 μg/mL, while strains 101, 102, 103 and 104 had an MBC equal to 1024 μg/mL. This shows that the essential oil in question had an antibacterial effect on the strains tested.