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Protective effect of microbisporicin (NAI-107) against vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium infection in a
Nele Hofkens1, Zina Gestels1, Saïd Abdellati2
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.
Abstract:
Increasing antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus faecium necessitates the search for novel treatment agents, such as bacteriocins. In this study, we conducted an in vivo assessment of five bacteriocins, namely Lacticin Z, Lacticin Q, Garvicin KS (ABC), Aureocin A53 and Microbisporicin (NAI-107), against vanB-resistant Enterococcus faecium using a Galleria mellonella model. Our in vitro experiments demonstrated the efficacy of all five bacteriocins against vanB-resistant E. faecium with only NAI-107 demonstrating in vivo efficacy. Notably, NAI-107 exhibited efficacy across a range of tested doses, with the highest efficacy observed at a concentration of 16 µg/mL. Mortality rates in the group treated with 16 µg/mL NAI-107 were lower than those observed in the linezolid-treated group. These findings strongly suggest that NAI-107 holds promise as a potential alternative therapeutic agent for treating infections caused by resistant E. faecium and warrants further investigation.
Insights
Novel bacteriocins are crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance. Microbisporicin (NAI-107) showed in vivo efficacy against vanB-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a Galleria mellonella model, outperforming linezolid.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Rising antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus faecium poses a significant global health threat.
- The emergence of vanB-resistant strains necessitates the development of alternative therapeutic strategies.
- Bacteriocins represent a promising class of antimicrobial agents with potential against resistant bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of five selected bacteriocins against vanB-resistant Enterococcus faecium.
- To compare the therapeutic potential of bacteriocins with the current standard treatment, linezolid.
- To identify promising bacteriocin candidates for further development as novel antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- In vitro screening of five bacteriocins (Lacticin Z, Lacticin Q, Garvicin KS, Aureocin A53, Microbisporicin/NAI-107) against vanB-resistant E. faecium.
- In vivo efficacy assessment using a Galleria mellonella infection model.
- Dose-response analysis of effective bacteriocins and comparison with linezolid treatment.
Main Results:
- All five tested bacteriocins demonstrated in vitro activity against vanB-resistant E. faecium.
- Only Microbisporicin (NAI-107) exhibited significant in vivo efficacy in the Galleria mellonella model.
- NAI-107 showed dose-dependent efficacy, with optimal results at 16 µg/mL, surpassing linezolid in reducing mortality.
Conclusions:
- Microbisporicin (NAI-107) is a promising candidate for a novel therapeutic agent against vanB-resistant Enterococcus faecium infections.
- The Galleria mellonella model serves as a valuable platform for in vivo screening of bacteriocins.
- Further research into NAI-107 is warranted to explore its full therapeutic potential and mechanism of action.
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