Antibacterial activity of the antarctic bacterium Janthinobacterium sp. SMN 33.6 against multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Asencio, Geraldine; Lavin, Paris; Alegria, Karen; Domínguez, Mariana; Bello, Helia; González-Rocha, Gerardo; González-Aravena, Marcelo

Antibacterial activity of the antarctic bacterium Janthinobacterium sp. SMN 33.6 against multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Files

Asencio G_1-s2.0-S071734581300002X-main.pdf (587.87 KB)

Date

2014

Authors

Asencio, Geraldine

Lavin, Paris

Alegria, Karen

Domínguez, Mariana

Bello, Helia

González-Rocha, Gerardo

González-Aravena, Marcelo

Publisher

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Abstract

Background: The increment of resistant strains to commonly used antibiotics in clinical practices places in evidence the urgent need to search for newcompounds with antibacterial activity. The adaptations that Antarctic microorganisms have developed, due to the extreme environment that they inhabit, promote themas a potential new source of active compounds for the control of microorganisms causing infections associated with health care. The aimof this studywas to evaluate the antibacterial activity of an ethanol extract of the Antarctic bacterium Janthinobacterium sp., strain SMN 33.6, against nosocomial multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Results: Inhibitory activity against human Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, with concentrations that varied between 0.5 and 16 μg ml-1, was demonstrated. Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of Janthinobacterium sp. SMN 33.6 possesses antibacterial activity against a chromosomal AmpC beta-lactamase-producing strain of Serratia marcescens, an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and also against carbapenemase-producing strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This becomes a potential and interesting biotechnological tool for the control of bacteria with multi-resistance to commonly used antibiotics.