title: Bacillus Spp. isolated from the conjunctiva and their potential antimicrobial activity against other eye pathogens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we attempted to screen and investigate antibacterial activity of Bacillus species, which were isolated from conjunctiva, against other eyes pathogens.
  
  
  METHODS
  To examine predominant isolates of Bacillus subtilis, B. pumilus, B. cereus and B. mojevensis, isolated from conjunctiva for their antimicrobial activity against indicator microorganisms as Micrococcus luteus, Staphyloccocus aureus, S. epidermidis, S.hominis, S. lugdunensis, S.warneri, S. haemolyticus, B. cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Proteus mirabilis. Growth inhibitions of indicator microorganisms were tested using agar diffusion tests by cells and supernatants of five B. mojevensis, one B. subtilis, four B. cereus and five B. pumilus strains which were isolated from conjunctiva.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Bacillus isolates showed variable ability of inhibition against the tested microorganisms. Two strains of B. pumillus, 1 strain of B. subtilis, 5 strains of B. mojevensis, 1 strain of B. cereus were efficacious against the tested microorganisms. Most resistant microorganism to these bacteria was Proteus mirabilis. Two of Gram positive bacteria, S. lugdenensis (K15-9) and S. aureus (SDA48), were also found as resistant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, Bacillus spp isolated from conjunctiva showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Human eye-derived microorganisms and their antimicrobial effects might be a useful source of natural products for the future.
authors.affiliation: Oltu Public Hospital, Eye Diseases Clinic, Oltu, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sertaç Argun
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kıvanç
authors.affiliation: Anadolu University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskisehir,Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takım
authors.affiliation: Armedica Eye Hospital, Darıca-Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Merih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kıvanç
authors.affiliation: Armedica Eye Hospital, Darıca-Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Güllülü
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001407:Bacillus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Bacillus spp; antibacterial activity; conjunctiva; eyes pathogens