Lactobacillus from yogurt could block drug-resistant infections

08-Jun-2017 - Last updated on 14-Jun-2017 at 09:15 GMT

Related tags Bacteria Microbiology Antibiotic resistance

An isolate from a strain of Lactobacillus in commercial yogurt could block the growth of several multi drug-resistant bacteria, according to new data.

The strain, Lactobacillus parafarraginis KU495926, identified by 16S rRNA, was isolated from a sample of commercial yogurt – and showed typical characteristics, said those behind the research.

However, screening of the antimicrobial activity showed that an isolate from the strain – which is a unique bacteriocin-like peptide – blocked the growth of several multidrug-resistant / extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria and released to kill other related bacteria. The identified bacteriocin from Lactobacillus parafarraginis KU495926 is heat stable up to 121°C.

"Considering the current upsurge of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, especially among the gram-negative bacteria, and the exigent need to find viable alternatives, findings from the study may hold promise for possible therapeutic application," said Rachelle Allen-McFarlane, doctoral candidate in the Biology Department at Howard University, Washington, D.C.

The study data was presented at ASM Microbe 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.