The Antibacterial Activity of Lactophenol, Safranin, and Methyl Red Dyes Against Clinically Isolated Escherichia Coli

Abstract

Abstract Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals that can be pathogenic and develop resistance to various antibiotics through different mechanisms, making them difficult to treat with standard therapies. So using alternative strategies to treat E. coli is urgent, such as utilizing certain dyes that may be a promising branch in microbial therapy. Materials and Methods: The bacteria (E. coli) were isolated from the urinary tract and cultured in three media (blood agar, macConkey agar, and EMB agar), then they were incubated for 24-h at a temperature of 37°C to grow. Well diffusion method used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of lactophenol, methyl red, and safranin stains. The antibiotic discs (Gentamicin) were used by the disc diffusion method. All the statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 26 software and the Excel app. Results: The participants in this study were 66.67% women, while 33.33% were men, with significant differences (P < 0.05). Gentamicin showed high a rate of sensitivity (88.89%). All isolates of E. coli (100%) were sensitive to lactophenol; in contrast, all isolates (100%) were resistant to methyl red dye. E. coli isolates revealed 55.56% resistance to safranin. Conclusions: Lactophenol inhibition zone was 20.78 ± 5.40 mm, which revealed a great inhibition zone compared to gentamicin’s 17.22 ± 6.55 mm with no significant differences (P = 0.22). That means lactophenol is equal in activity to gentamicin to treat E. coli.