Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Nanomechanics of Drug-target Interactions and Antibacterial Resistance Detection
11:56

Nanomechanics of Drug-target Interactions and Antibacterial Resistance Detection

Published on: October 25, 2013

14.8K

Potential use of probiotic and commensal bacteria as non-antibiotic strategies against vancomycin-resistant

Laureen Crouzet1, Lionel Rigottier-Gois1, Pascale Serror2

  • 1INRA, UMR1319 Micalis, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; and AgroParisTech, UMR Micalis, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|February 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are dangerous hospital pathogens that colonize the gut. Probiotic bacteria show promise in reducing VRE gut colonization and infection risk.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are opportunistic pathogens prevalent in hospital settings.
  • VRE colonization of the gastrointestinal tract is facilitated by antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis.
  • VRE infections pose a significant threat to immunocompromised patients, complicated by antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review factors promoting VRE colonization and persistence in the GI tract.
  • To explore strategies for reducing VRE overgrowth and carriage in the gut.
  • To assess the efficacy of probiotic and commensal bacteria in combating VRE.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on VRE colonization and persistence.
  • Analysis of human and animal studies investigating probiotic/commensal bacteria interventions.
  • Examination of potential mechanisms of anti-VRE effects.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis creates favorable conditions for VRE colonization.
  • Oral administration of certain probiotic and commensal bacteria demonstrates potential in reducing VRE.
  • Mechanisms of action include competitive exclusion and modulation of the gut microbiota.

Conclusions:

  • Reducing VRE intestinal colonization is crucial for infection prevention.
  • Probiotic and commensal bacteria represent a promising therapeutic strategy against VRE.
  • Further research into the mechanisms of anti-VRE effects is warranted.
Keywords:
Enterococcuscolonization resistancecommensalsintestinal dysbiosismicrobiota restorationprobiotics

More Related Videos

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method12:03

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method

Published on: April 18, 2019

28.1K
Quantification of Violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum and Its Inhibition by Bioactive Compounds07:13

Quantification of Violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum and Its Inhibition by Bioactive Compounds

Published on: August 8, 2025

2.0K

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within...
60
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
2.1K
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and...
155
Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
1.3K
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
240
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
119