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Mursamacin: a novel class of antibiotics from soil-dwelling roundworms of Central Kenya that inhibits methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [version 1; referees: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Authors :
Ryan Musumba Awori
Peter Njenga Ng'ang'a
Lorine Nanjala Nyongesa
Nelson Onzere Amugune
Author Affiliations :
<relatesTo>1</relatesTo>Trek Science, P.O Box 44947-00100, Nairobi, Kenya<br /><relatesTo>2</relatesTo>School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, P. O Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Source :
F1000Research. 5:2431
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
London, UK: F1000 Research Limited, 2016.

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 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.

Details

ISSN :
20461402
Volume :
5
Database :
F1000Research
Journal :
F1000Research
Notes :
[version 1; referees: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsfor.10.12688.f1000research.9652.1
Document Type :
research-article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.9652.1