The anti-biofilm compounds, called cathuitamycins, were discovered by conducting high-throughput compound screenings of thousands of drug-like substances derived from marine microorganisms collected during marine field expeditions in locations around the world.
In tests, the cathuitamycins were able to stop HAI-causing Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria from gathering together and forming biofilms, which can stick to medical devices, prosthetic implants and other surfaces, making them hard to sterilize.
“This new class of biofilm inhibitors provides a foundation toward the development of safe and effective drugs to limit or prevent biofilm formation,” said co-senior author David Sherman, PhD. “As antibiotic resistance becomes an increasingly important global health concern, marine microorganisms have a great — and largely untapped — potential to provide new classes of antibiotics and anti-biofilm compounds.”
More articles on antibiotic resistance:
What can hospitals do to take a stand against antibiotic resistance? Inside the University of Chicago Medical Center’s stewardship program
Researchers test computer-based method for detecting antibiotic resistance in hospitals
Behavioral ‘nudges’ help reduce antibiotic prescriptions among physicians
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