The sponges Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea are reservoirs of antibiotic-producing bacteria against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Aims Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of cultivable bacteria associated with the marine sponges Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea against multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Methods and Results One hundred and fourteen bacterial isolates were recovered from H. perlevis and H. panicea. Antibacterial action was demonstrated by 70% of the isolates against reference strain Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and by 31 center dot 6% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 in agar overlay assays. Antibacterial potential was further analysed against 36 multi-drug-resistant hospital Staphylococcus aureus strains with diverse resistance profiles. Among the 80 isolates positive against S. aureus ATCC 29213, 76 center dot 3% were active against at least one clinical S. aureus pathogen and 73 center dot 6% inhibited one or more methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin non-susceptible S. aureus strains. In addition, 41 center dot 3% inhibited all vancomycin nonsusceptible MRSA strains. Conclusions Culturable bacteria associated to H. perlevis and H. panicea are promising sources of antibacterial compounds of great pharmaceutical interest. Significance and Impact of the Study This study was the first to explore the antibacterial potential of culturable bacteria associated with the marine sponges H. perlevis and H. panicea against MDR bacteria. This is the first report of antibacterial activity by Aquimarina, Denitrobaculum, Maribacter and Vagococcus isolates against MDR S. aureus strains, including vancomycin nonsusceptible and methicillin-resistant ones, against which new antibiotics are urgently needed.

Automated summary

Cultivable bacteria associated with the marine sponges Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea exhibit promising antibacterial activity against multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, indicating their potential as a valuable source of antibacterial compounds with pharmaceutical interest. This study is the first to show the antibacterial potential of these bacteria against MDR bacteria, including vancomycin nonsusceptible and methicillin-resistant strains, highlighting the urgent need for new antibiotics.