Isolation of Streptomyces spp. Exhibiting Potent Antibiofilm Activity Against Clinically Isolated Bacterial Strains.

Abstract

The increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) highlights the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies, particularly those targeting microbial virulence factors like biofilm formation. This study aimed to isolate and identify Streptomyces species with potential antibiofilm activity against clinically relevant biofilm-producing bacterial pathogens. Actinomycetes were isolated from soil samples, cultured on Gause's synthetic agar (GSA) and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Clinically isolated pathogenic bacteria, including Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, were identified using the VITEK 2 system. The antibiofilm and antibacterial activities of the bioactive compounds extracted from Streptomyces spp. were assessed using the agar plug diffusion method and quantitative biofilm assays with crystal violet staining. Among the isolated Streptomyces strains, Streptomyces albogriseolus was identified as a promising producer of bioactive metabolites. The isolate exhibited 99% similarity to strain NBRC 3709 based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The crude extract at a concentration of 20 mg/mL demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 11.9 mm against K. pneumoniae and 15.1 mm against E. coli. Moreover, the extract significantly reduced biofilm formation in A. baumannii and E. coli. A lower antibiofilm effect was also observed against K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, and K. oxytoca, with K. oxytoca exhibiting the weakest biofilm inhibition. In conclusion, secondary metabolites from S. albogriseolus display significant antibiofilm activity against drug-resistant pathogens, with efficacy varying by bacterial species and extract concentration. These findings underscore the potential of Streptomyces-derived metabolites as promising candidates for combating biofilm-associated infections. Further studies are recommended to explore their mechanism of action and optimize their potential therapeutic application.