Abstract

In an effort to stem the rising tide of multi-resistant bacteria, researchers have turned to niche environments in the hope of discovering new varieties of antibiotics. We investigated an ethnopharmacological (cure) from an alkaline/radon soil in the area of Boho, in the Fermanagh Scarplands (N. Ireland) for the presence of Streptomyces, a well-known producer of antibiotics. From this soil we isolated a novel (closest relative 57% of genome relatedness) Streptomyces sp. capable of growth at high alkaline pH (10.5) and tolerant of gamma radiation to 4 kGy. Genomic sequencing identified many alkaline tolerance (antiporter/multi-resistance) genes compared to S. coelicolor M145 (at 3:1), hence we designated the strain Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, isolate McG1, from the Greek, myro (fragrance) and phorea (porter/carrier). In vitro tests demonstrated the ability of the Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, isolate McG1 to inhibit the growth of many strains of ESKAPE pathogens; most notably carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (a critical pathogen on the WHO priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (both listed as high priority pathogens). Further in silico prediction of antimicrobial potential of Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, isolate McG1 by anti-SMASH and RAST software identified many secondary metabolite and toxicity resistance gene clusters (45 and 27, respectively) as well as many antibiotic resistance genes potentially related to antibiotic production. Follow-up in vitro tests show that the Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, isolate McG1 was resistant to 28 out of 36 clinical antibiotics. Although not a comprehensive analysis, we think that some of the Boho soils’ reputed curative properties may be linked to the ability of Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, isolate McG1 to inhibit ESKAPE pathogens. More importantly, further analysis may elucidate other key components that could alleviate the tide of multi-resistant nosocomial infections.

Highlights

  • The global increase in multi-resistant ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) has created an urgent need to develop replacement therapies

  • Aliquots (20 μl) of diluted soil samples were cultivated on several agars to select for Streptomyces including ISP2 (1/5th) and alkaline Soy Flour Mannitol (SFM) (Figure 1)

  • We have isolated a novel species of Streptomyces from an alkaline/radon environment that inhibits the growth of many multiresistant ESKAPE pathogens

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Summary

Introduction

The global increase in multi-resistant ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) has created an urgent need to develop replacement therapies. Boho’s Novel Streptomyces been identified as priority antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Jelic et al, 2016; Santajit and Indrawattana, 2016; Founou et al, 2017; Tacconelli et al, 2018). Infections with multi-resistant pathogens are extremely hard to treat and may spread throughout a hospital or community environment (Jelic et al, 2016; Santajit and Indrawattana, 2016). Bacterial infections are treated with the simplest, most effective antibiotics, multi-resistant pathogens usually require treatment with higher tier antibiotics or antibiotics of last resort (Santajit and Indrawattana, 2016). The WHO have created an urgent priority list for discovery of new antibiotics (Tacconelli et al, 2018)

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