Critical evaluation of the antibacterial potential of commercial bovine lactoferrin against clinical isolates of nosocomial pathogens

Background: Lactoferrin, a protein from the transferrin family found in human and bovine milk, has been extensively documented in the literature for its significant properties, including antibacterial activity. Numerous studies have explored the potential of lactoferrin as an adjunctive treatment for bacterial infections in children, both within and outside pediatric hospitals. Objective: The evaluation of the antibacterial potential of commercial lactoferrin against clinical isolates of nosocomial pathogens. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of lactoferrin samples was assessed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). MIC was evaluated as recommended by the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Additional experimental cell concentration was also used in the study. Results: The commercial lactoferrin samples had no antibacterial effect within the concentration ranges used in the study on tested nosocomial pathogens isolates from a pediatric hospital. No differences were observed in the activity of commercially available lactoferrin samples over the range of the investigated concentrations. Conclusion: Multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, the causative agents of hospital-acquired infections, were used in the study. Antibacterial potential of the lactoferrin against the bacterial strain depends on the strain-lactoferrin pair used in the study. In addition, the verification of in vitro experimental results in clinical trials is essential for accurately assessing and understanding both the antibacterial potential of lactoferrin against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates and its possible applications in clinical practice as a bioactive compound with potential for functional food development.