Microbiota-derived lantibiotic restores resistance against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

ABSTRACT: Intestinal commensal bacteria can inhibit dense colonization of the gut by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections^1,2. A four-strained consortium of commensal bacteria that contains Blautia producta BP_SCSK can reverse antibiotic-induced susceptibility to VRE infection³. Here we show that BP_SCSK reduces growth of VRE by secreting a lantibiotic that is similar to the nisin-A produced by Lactococcus lactis. Although the growth of VRE is inhibited by BP_SCSK and L. lactis in vitro, only BP_SCSK colonizes the colon and reduces VRE density in vivo. In comparison to nisin-A, the BP_SCSK lantibiotic has reduced activity against intestinal commensal bacteria. In patient

SUBMITTER: Kim SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6717508 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature