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Efficient Inactivation of Multi-Antibiotics Resistant Nosocomial Enterococci by Purified Hiracin Bacteriocin

Maryam Hassan1, Dag Anders Brede2, Dzung B Diep2

  • 1Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.

Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|October 28, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise against multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria. A novel compound, Hiracin, derived from Enterococcus faecalis HO91, effectively inhibited resistant enterococci, offering a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The rise of multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria poses a global health threat.
  • Limited development of new antibiotics necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies.
  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging as potential treatments for bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate enterococci from clinical sources for their ability to inhibit multiresistant nosocomial enterococci.
  • To identify and characterize novel antimicrobial compounds produced by these enterococci.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 170 clinical enterococcal isolates for inhibitory activity.
  • Purification and characterization of active compounds using MALDI-TOF MS, Edman degradation, and DNA sequencing.
  • Evaluation of the purified compound's antibacterial activity against multiresistant enterococci.

Main Results:

  • Four enterococcal isolates produced antimicrobial peptides effective against antibiotic-resistant strains.
  • Enterococcus faecalis HO91 produced a potent antimicrobial compound identified as Hiracin.
  • Hiracin demonstrated high efficacy against enterococci resistant to multiple antibiotic classes.

Conclusions:

  • Hiracin is a promising candidate for treating infections caused by multi-antibiotic resistant enterococci.
  • This research highlights AMPs as a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Keywords:
EnterococciHiracinMulti-antibiotic resistantPurification

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