title: A bioengineered nisin derivative to control biofilms of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.
abstract: Antibiotic resistance and the shortage of novel antimicrobials are among the biggest challenges facing society. One of the major factors contributing to resistance is the use of frontline clinical antibiotics in veterinary practice. In order to properly manage dwindling antibiotic resources, we must identify antimicrobials that are specifically targeted to veterinary applications. Nisin is a member of the lantibiotic family of antimicrobial peptides that exhibit potent antibacterial activity against many gram-positive bacteria, including human and animal pathogens such as Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Listeria, and Clostridium. Although not currently used in human medicine, nisin is already employed commercially as an anti-mastitis product in the veterinary field. Recently we have used bioengineering strategies to enhance the activity of nisin against several high profile targets, including multi-drug resistant clinical pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and also against staphylococci and streptococci associated with bovine mastitis. However, newly emerging pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) pose a significant threat in terms of veterinary health and as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance determinants. In this study we created a nisin derivative with enhanced antimicrobial activity against S. pseudintermedius. In addition, the novel nisin derivative exhibits an enhanced ability to impair biofilm formation and to reduce the density of established biofilms. The activities of this peptide represent a significant improvement over that of the wild-type nisin peptide and merit further investigation with a view to their use to treat S. pseudintermedius infections.
authors: School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Des
authors: D
authors: Field
authors: School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Noémie
authors: N
authors: Gaudin
authors: School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Francy
authors: F
authors: Lyons
authors: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland.
authors: Paula M
authors: PM
authors: O'Connor
authors: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Cotter
authors: School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Colin
authors: C
authors: Hill
authors: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: R Paul
authors: RP
authors: Ross
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002417:Cattle; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009561:Nisin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009561:Nisin