Effect of some antiseptics on elastase production from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of clinically used antiseptics on elastase production from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 39 clinical isolates were collected from wounds 10 (25.64%) and burns 29 (74.35%) from hospitalized patients in Baghdad city. Elastin preparation by the autoclaving method yielded 10.5 gm of elastin powder from (250 gm) of sheep's lungs, 3.6 gm from (50 gm) of sheep's bladder, and sheep's ligamentum nuchae (65 gm) yielded 15 gm. All P. aeruginosa isolates were tested for their ability to produce elastase by being cultivated on elastin nutrient agar and observed for the enzyme's activity. The bacteria that make elastase grew, and a clear border emerged surrounding the growth after 24 hours. 32 (82.05%) of P. aeruginosa isolates produced the enzyme on the elastin nutrient agar. Elastase-producing P. aeruginosa was tested quantitatively using the ELISA reader and spectrophotometer at (A495) to detect the released amount of Congo red dye from the degradation of the elastin Congo red. P. aeruginosa (P41) showed the highest elastolytic activity; thus, it was selected to determine the effect of the sub-MIC of the antiseptics on elastase production. The results showed that acetic acid was the best agent to inhibit elastase production, followed by silver nitrate, hydrogen peroxide and ethanol in descending order. Keywords: Elastase; Elastin; Pseudolysin; Antiseptics; Acetic acid; Pseudomonas aeroginosa