Polyketides from marine-derived Aspergillus welwitschiae inhibit Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors and potentiate vancomycin antibacterial activity in vivo

This study reports anti-virulence activity against S. aureus, including a MRSA clinical isolate, of naphto-γ-pyrones from Aspergillus welwitschiae mycelium, and the characterization of chemical constituents by LC-DAD and LC-MS. A remarkable decrease in biofilm formation, hemolysis and coagulation promoted by Staphylococcus aureus, important traits for bacterial pathogenicity, were observed. Furthermore, advantageous association with vancomycin resulted in significant protection against staphylococcal infection in Galleria mellonella model. These findings corroborate the importance of natural products as a source of new therapeutic possibilities, as well reveals potential alternatives for infection control using anti-virulence and drug association approaches.
Source: Microbial Pathogenesis - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research