Antibacterial activity of the Antarctic bacterium Janthinobacterium sp. SMN 33.6 against multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Abstract

article i nfo Background: The increment of resistant strains to commonly used antibiotics in clinical practices places in evidencetheurgentneedtosearchfornewcompoundswith antibacterial activity.TheadaptationsthatAntarctic microorganismshavedeveloped,due tothe extremeenvironmentthattheyinhabit, promote themasa potential new source of active compounds for the control of microorganisms causing infections associated with health care.TheaimofthisstudywastoevaluatetheantibacterialactivityofanethanolextractoftheAntarcticbacterium Janthinobacterium sp., strain SMN 33.6, against nosocomial multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Results: Inhibitory activity against human Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, with concentrations that varied between 0.5 and 16 μ gm l -1 , was demonstrated. Conclusions:The ethanolic extract of Janthinobacterium sp. SMN 33.6 possesses antibacterial activity against a chromosomal AmpC beta-lactamase-producing strain of Serratia marcescens, an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and also against carbapenemase-producing strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This becomes a potential and interesting biotechnological tool for the control of bacteria with multi-resistance to commonly used antibiotics.