In vitro effect of the acidic pH on the susceptibility of the antimicrobial peptide Esc(1-21) against respiratory pathogens in cystic fibrosis lung environment

Antimicrobial activity of Esc(1-21) against reference strains and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosaEsculentin(1-21) [Esc(1-21)] is a short-sized cationic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) corresponding to the N-terminal region of the frog-skin AMP esculentin-1a.It is endowed with a fast rate of killing activity, especially against Gram-negative bacteria, with a membrane perturbing mechanism of action. BackgroundEsculentin-1a GIFSKLAGKKIKNLLISGLKNVGKEVGMDVVRTGIDIAGCKIKGEC GIFSKLAGKKIKNLLISGLKG-NH 2 +6 Basic residues Esc(1-21) Short size A large spectrum of activity (Gram -, Gram + , fungi) A potent activity against planktonic and biofilm forms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram -).