Antibiotic activity of fungus comb extract from fungus-farming termites

Abstract

Abstract Termites, predominantly abundant in Africa, represent eusocial insects with a significant ecological role. They have historically served as valuable natural resources in various domains, including traditional medicine, human dietary practices, and livestock nutrition. Fascinatingly, higher termites have cultivated a remarkable symbiotic relationship with Termitomyces fungi over the course of millions of years. Recently our research team unveiled that multiple drug-resistant (MDR) enterobacteria found in termite-eating wild chimpanzees in Senegal may originate from Macrotermes, initiating a study of the mechanisms of MDR selection by passage of environmental bacteria through fungus combs. This finding, as well as traditional antibiotic fungus comb treatments in Africa propelled us into a study aimed at unraveling the mechanisms underlying MDR selection, specifically through the passage of environmental bacteria within termite fungus combs. We conducted an extensive examination of 11 fungus combs sourced from five termite species found in Senegal and revealed the noteworthy antibiotic properties of crude comb extracts. Notably, we identified meglutol as a prominent component within the active fractions of several combs, particularly those collected from agricultural fields. Meglutol likely persists from plant-based materials consumed by termites as part of their diet. While the precise molecules responsible for the antibiotic effects of fungus combs remain to be identified, meglutol itself possesses antibiotic properties and contributes to the overall antibacterial attributes of these combs. The presence of antibacterial compounds within fungus combs could actively participate in shaping the selection of antibiotic resistance within environmental bacteria, shedding light on a complex ecological interplay.