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Fire Ant Venom Kills Bacteria

WASHINGTON, DC - December 17, 2005 -- Compounds found in the venom of fire ants kill bacteria and may have the potential to be used as antibiotics or disinfectants, researchers report today at the 45th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

"Historically, natural products are an important source of medicinal agents," says Donna Sullivan of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, an investigator on the study. "In the mound, ants apply venom to their offspring as well as to their food. It is tempting to speculate that antibacterial activity in the venom may serve as an antibiotic and as a preservative."

Sullivan and her colleagues synthesized several components of fire ant venom and tested their antimicrobial properties. All nine synthetic components had activity against four common bacterial species, three of which were already resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

Much more work on the toxicity of the compounds in human cells must be done before they can be considered as potential antibiotics, says Sullivan, but other practical applications might be considered before then.

"Such compounds may be effective disinfectants on non-living material, such as countertops and building materials. They may also be effective as antibacterial or antifungal agents for treatment of plants," says Sullivan.

Known as one of the premier infectious disease meetings in the world, ICAAC, a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, is a rich source of news including the latest public health research and new drugs. More information on 45th ICAAC, being held this year from December 16-19 in Washington, DC, can be found in the online press kit (English only) at http://www.asm.org/Media/index.asp?bid=38551.

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