Bacteria in fish mucus show activity against MRSA



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Sandra Loesgen, PhD

Sandra Loesgen

The protective mucus that covers young fish contains bacteria that demonstrate activity against certain pathogens, including MRSA, according to findings presented at the American Chemical Society's national meeting and exhibition.

Sandra Loesgen, PhD, an badistant professor of chemistry at Oregon State University, and their colleagues said their research had revealed "a potentially untapped source of antibiotic discovery."

"We are just beginning to understand the human microbiome. We are even further from understanding the fish microbiome, "Loesgen said. Infectious Diseases News. "It is possible to find new antibiotics in the bacteria badociated with fish."

Loesgen and his colleagues collaborated with Erin (Foggy) Paig-Tran, PhD, an badistant professor and marine biologist at California State University, Fullerton, and his team, who provided mucus swabs from juvenile fish from the high seas and Pacific surface fish.

Photo of Molly Austin and Paige Mandelare exploring the microbiome of fish in the initial state in Sandra Loesgen's laboratory

Molly Austin (right), an undergraduate researcher, and graduate student Paige Mandelare (left) explore the early fish microbiome in Sandra Loesgen's lab..

Source: Sandra Loesgen

The fish are covered with mucus that protects them from bacteria, fungi and viruses, and this substance can trap microbes before it can cause an infection, according to a press release.

Loesgen and his colleagues said they managed to isolate 47 microbial strains from the samples and to test their potential for antibiotic production. They discovered five bacterial extracts with strong inhibition against MRSA, three highly inhibitory extracts Candida albicansand an extract – derived from a pink surfperch – that showed strong activity against MRSA and a colon carcinoma cell line, according to the release.

"We need to work hand in hand with microbiologists to capture the diversity of bacterial species found in the fish microbiome, and fish biologists to understand the [and] how do these fish gain [and] maintain their microbiome and be able to ask questions about what is a healthy microbiome, "Loesgen said.

"The compounds we identify as having antibacterial activity have yet to be tested on a group of human pathogens and pathogens already resistant to clinically used drugs. If these measures are effective, the steps to be followed may include additional in vivo testing. " – by Marley Ghizzone

Reference:

Austin M et al. Abstract BIOL 99. Presented at the 2019 Spring National Meeting and Exhibition of the American Chemical Society; March 28 to April 4, 2019; Orlando Florida.

Disclosure: Loesgen does not report any relevant financial disclosure.

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