The role of probiotics in inhibition mechanism of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

• Main Authors: Mahsa Abbasi, Samaneh Dolatabadi, Ghazaleh Ghorbannezhad, Fatemeh Sharifi, Hamid Reza Rahimi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 2020-08-01
• Series: McGill Journal of Medicine
• Subjects: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); probiotics; mecA gene
• Online Access: https://mjm.mcgill.ca/article/view/156

ABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a hospital-acquired pathogen with high prevalence across the globe. It raises a serious health concern due to its resistance to antibiotic agents, in particular, β-lactam, carbapenem, and penem. This pathogen causes various medical conditions, namely endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and food poisoning. Strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. inhibit pathogenic bacteria through competition for nutrients and adhesion sites, production of antimicrobial substances, and enhancement of immune system. The present hypothesis describes that these probiotics prevent the growth of MRSA by producing inhibitory agents like bacteriocin, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and the intestinal pH reduction. Given an increasing resistance to antibiotics and its adverse effects, the use of other alternatives seems necessary. These beneficial bacteria and their metabolites which are available in the market as tablets, capsules, and powders can widely establish control over the growth of MRSA.