Nisin, alone and combined with peptidoglycan-modulating antibiotics: activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2002 Nov;50(5):731-4. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkf190.

Abstract

Objective: We have sought ways to circumvent resistance, by combining nisin with other antibiotics known to target bacterial cell wall biosynthesis.

Methods: Twenty strains each of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were tested in vitro by standardized methods against nisin alone and combined with bacitracin, ramoplanin and chloramphenicol.

Results: Ramoplanin was the most potent compound, and bacitracin had the least activity. Two-way synergy was observed with nisin and ramoplanin. However, chloramphenicol was clearly antagonistic to the activity of nisin.

Conclusions: Observations of synergy between nisin and ramoplanin against MRSA and VRE offer a promising approach to the concept of combining nisin with inhibitors of cell wall peptidoglycan. Further investigations are needed in order to develop this approach as a clinical possibility.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / pharmacology*
  • Enterococcus / drug effects*
  • Enterococcus / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Methicillin Resistance / physiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Nisin / pharmacology*
  • Peptidoglycan / pharmacology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Vancomycin Resistance / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Peptidoglycan
  • Nisin