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Demonstrates enhanced antimicrobial effects in multi-drug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli, suggesting a promising combined therapy.
BACKGROUND: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the leading cause of urinary tract infections, has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, creating an urgent need for alternative therapeutics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bacterial isolate exhibiting antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) UPEC was screened. Its secondary metabolites were extracted and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated for the purified secondary metabolite (SM) extract alone and in combination with bacteriophages. RESULTS: HPLC revealed a major bioactive peak corresponding to polymyxin B sulfate, confirmed by LC-MS with a dominant peak at 1185 Da. GC-MS identified additional minor pyrrolizidine derivatives with potential antibacterial activity. The polymyxin-like SM (PSM) extract showed potent antimicrobial effects against UPEC and other uropathogens. Notably, co-treatment with bacteriophages significantly reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), indicating a synergistic effect. CONCLUSION: Bacterial secondary metabolites, particularly polymyxin-like extracts, exhibit strong antimicrobial activity against MDR UPEC. Their synergistic interaction with bacteriophages highlights a promising combined antimicrobial approach to combat MDR uropathogens.
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Malik et al. (2026) studied this question.
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