Antibacterial activity of bacteria isolated from against multidrug-resistant human pathogens.

Rising number of multidrug-resistant human pathogens demands novel antibiotics: to this aim, unexplored natural sources are investigated to find new compounds. In this context, bacteria associated to medicinal plants, including , might represent an important source of antimicrobial compounds. In the present work, 21 bacterial endophytes isolated from roots were tested, by cross-streaking, for their inhibitory activity against 36 multidrug-resistant pathogens isolated from food, clinical patients and hospitals. Seven endophytes, belonging to and , were able to inhibit the growth of most of the target strains. In conclusion, this preliminary work could pave the way for the discovery of new antibiotics against superbugs.