A chemical from a fungus that lives in insects can kill drug-resistant E. coli bacteria in lab tests as well as a common antibiotic does.
Claim Context
The compound 5,6-dimethoxycircumdatin C (211), isolated from the insect-derived fungus Neosartorya fischeri, demonstrates antibacterial activity against extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.0 μg/mL, comparable to the clinical antibiotic amikacin, suggesting potential as a novel antibacterial agent.
“211 being the most active against ESBL-producing E. coli, with a MIC value of 2.0 μg/mL, which was comparable to that of the clinically used antibiotic amikacin”
Evidence from Studies
No evidence studies found yet.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Whether 5,6-dimethoxycircumdatin C improves clinical outcomes in patients with ESBL-producing E. coli infections
A double-blind, randomized Phase III trial with 400 patients with confirmed ESBL-E. coli urinary tract infections, comparing intravenous 5,6-dimethoxycircumdatin C (3 mg/kg every 12 hours) to meropenem for 7 days, measuring clinical cure rate, microbiological eradication, and adverse events
Whether treatment with 5,6-dimethoxycircumdatin C is associated with successful infection resolution
A prospective cohort study following 200 patients treated with experimental fungal antibiotics for multidrug-resistant infections, including those receiving 211, tracking clinical response, microbiological clearance, and survival over 30 days
Whether prior exposure to Neosartorya compounds is associated with lower risk of resistant infections
A matched case-control study of 300 patients with ESBL-E. coli infections versus 300 controls without, assessing history of exposure to fungal natural products or living in environments with high fungal biodiversity
The current prevalence of susceptibility among ESBL-E. coli isolates to 5,6-dimethoxycircumdatin C
A cross-sectional survey testing 1,000 clinical ESBL-E. coli isolates from hospitals across five countries against 5,6-dimethoxycircumdatin C to determine MIC distribution and resistance patterns