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Antimicrobial potential of Halophilic actinomycetes against multi drug resistant (MDR) ventilator associated

Sana Aslam1, Imran Sajid1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
|April 19, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Halophilic actinomycetes from a Pakistani saline lake show potent antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant pneumonia pathogens. These microbes are a promising source for developing new antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic agents.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens, particularly those causing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), pose a significant global health threat.
  • Halophilic actinomycetes, known for producing diverse bioactive compounds, are underexplored in the context of MDR pathogen inhibition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To screen halophilic actinomycetes from Kalar Kahar saline lake for antimicrobial potential against MDR VAP pathogens.
  • To characterize the isolated strains and assess their cytotoxic and metabolic diversity.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of forty halophilic actinomycetes.
  • Antimicrobial activity testing against MDR VAP pathogens using zone of inhibition assays.
  • Cytotoxicity assessment using Artemia salina.
  • Metabolic fingerprinting via Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-UV).

Main Results:

  • Ninety percent of isolates belonged to the genus Streptomyces and exhibited tolerance to alkaline conditions (pH 9-11).
  • Significant antimicrobial activity (up to 20mm zone of inhibition) was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and others.
  • Moderate to high cytotoxicity (40-80% larval mortality) and diverse metabolic profiles were detected.

Conclusions:

  • Halophilic actinomycetes from Kalar Kahar are a rich source of bioactive compounds with significant antimicrobial potential against MDR VAP pathogens.
  • Further research involving compound isolation and structure elucidation could lead to novel antimicrobial or chemotherapeutic agents.

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