title: Clinical streptococci and their sensitivity to enterocins produced by different strains of the species Enterococcus faecium (short communication).
abstract: In children, acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most frequently occurring infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Str. pyogenes. The standard treatment of AOMis provided by antibiotics; however, an increased resistance of the causative agents to antibiotics requires the need to search for innovations. This study was focused on in vitro testing sensitivity of streptococci isolated from AOM to enterocins produced by 9 different origin strains of E. faecium. Enterocins (Ent) represent ribosomally synthesized proteinaceous substances with antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria which are produced mostly by strains of the species Enterococcus faecium. Str. pneumoniae were sensitive at least to 1 Ent. Str. pneumoniae SPn 754 was sensitive to 5 Ent. Five Str. pyogenes were sensitive to enterocins. Ent A (P) inhibited the growth of 3 Str. pneumoniae, and 4 Str. pyogenes (activity between 100 and 3,200 AU/ml). Most of Ent inhibited the growth of streptococci tested (100-3,200 AU/ml). Str. pyogenes were more sensitive to Ent than Str. pneumoniae. Although more detailed further studies are required, our results indicate a new possibility for enterocin use.
authors.affiliation: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Košice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kandricáková
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lauková
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001430:Bacteriocins