Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also called “superbugs”, can at worst retrogress modern medicine to an era where even sore throats resulted in death. A solution is the development of novel types of antibiotics from untapped natural sources. Yet, no new class of antibiotic has been developed in clinical medicine in the last 30 years. Here, bacteria from insect-killing Steinernema roundworms found in the soils of Central Kenya were isolated and subjected to specific molecular identification. These were then assayed for production of antibiotic compounds with potential to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. The bacteria were identified as Xenorhabdus griffiniae and produced cell free supernatants that inhibited S. aureus. Fermenting the bacteria for 4 days yielded a heat stable anti-staphylococcal class of compounds that at low concentrations also inhibited methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This class contained two major compounds whose identity remains unknown. Thus X. griffinae isolated from Steinernema roundworms in Kenya have antimicrobial potential and may herald novel and newly sourced potential medicines for treatment of the world’s most prevalent antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Highlights
Antibiotic resistant bacteria, otherwise known as “superbugs”, are an imminent threat to every existing healthcare system as they could obviate current clinical antibiotics and thereby retrogress humanity to that dark age of lethal sore throats[1]
Previously[18] we demonstrated that Xenorhabdus bacteria from Kenya can produce antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Our findings highlight a novel antibiotic class designated “mursamacin”[19] obtained from Xenorhabdus bacteria found in Kenyan soils, which is highly active against methicillinresistant S. aureus
Summary
Antibiotic resistant bacteria, otherwise known as “superbugs”, are an imminent threat to every existing healthcare system as they could obviate current clinical antibiotics and thereby retrogress humanity to that dark age of lethal sore throats[1]. A potential source of novel anti-MRSA antibiotics are Xenorhabdus bacteria[5] that naturally dwell in the guts of Steinernema roundworms These 1 mm-long[6] roundworms are found in soils worldwide[7] and live by infecting and killing insects such as moths, caterpillars and weevils. Steinernema roundworms enter an insect body and release Xenorhabdus bacteria that secrete insecticidal toxins that quickly kill the insect[8] To secure this rich food source for the roundworms only, the Xenorhabdus produce an armory of antibiotic compounds that effectively destroy competing soil fungi and microorganisms[9], a mechanism that has been demonstrated as having medical potential against human diseases[8,10,11,12,13,14]. Our findings highlight a novel antibiotic class designated “mursamacin”[19] obtained from Xenorhabdus bacteria found in Kenyan soils, which is highly active against methicillinresistant S. aureus
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
