Researchers here may have found an unlikely ally in their fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens -- commercial yogurt.
Relman added that the positive properties of Lactobacillus are well-known. Prior research several years ago identified a different Lactobacillus species that normally lives in the vagina. It produced an antibiotic called lactocillin that kills off E. coli bacteria, but doesn't touch the other normal, healthy vaginal bacteria.
Other research on different species of Lactobacillus shows that it may affect a woman's risk of contracting HIV, as well as play a role in helping to prevent preterm birth.
"This yogurt organism is to presumably serve that Lactobacillus in its natural environment and to protect it from competitors," Relman said. "They're all doing interesting things, and a lot of them are in food. We just have to figure out how to select the right ones for the right properties and ensure that we're not killing them by mistake."
The isolate was identified as Lactobacillus parafarranginis KU495926 and it inhibited 14 multi-drug resistant and extended spectrum beta-lactamase bacteria, which are known for breaking down antibiotics. The 14 isolates were comprised of:
- Escherichia coli (5)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2)
- Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus (3)
- Enterobacter aerogenes (1)
- Proteus mirabilis (2)
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (1)