The antimicrobial effects of cord blood-derived platelet gel on nosocomial pathogens.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Umbilical cord blood-derived platelet gel (CBPG) is rich in growth factors (GFs) and antimicrobial peptides. This study evaluated its in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity against dominant nosocomial pathogens.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In this experimental study, CB samples were taken from 12 healthy pregnant women post-cesarean at Motahari Hospital, Jahrom. Platelet -rich plasma (PRP) was isolated using a two-step centrifugation protocol (soft-spin: 200×g, 10 min; hard spin:1000×g, 15 min, 22°C) and activated with calcium and human thrombin to form PG. Antimicrobial effect of PG was determined against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus spp., and Penicillium spp. using broth microdilution and time-kill assays per CLSI guidelines.

RESULTS

PG exhibited strong bacteriostatic activity against MRSA and K. pneumoniae (MIC 2.2-2.8 × 108 platelets/mL; 1.7-1.8 log10 reduction at 24 h, p < 0.001), while PRP was moderately active and PPP was ineffective. No significant activity was observed against P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii (p= 0.2). PG showed sustained fungistatic effects (MIC: 1.9-4.2× 108 platelets/mL up to 72 h).

CONCLUSION

CBPG exhibits potent bacteriostatic and fungistatic effects, particularly against MDR Gram-positive bacteria, offering a novel autologous antimicrobial.