Potential Probiotic for Coral Tissue Loss Disease

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is a severe coral disease affecting many species in Florida's coral reefs and the wider Caribbean, leading to significant coral loss.

In this study, researchers discovered that a bacterium called Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain McH1-7 has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against bacteria associated with SCTLD.

Chemical analysis revealed that McH1-7 produces potential antibacterial compounds, including korormicin and tetrabromopyrrole, and genomic analysis identified genes that may encode antibacterial enzymes.

Laboratory trials showed that McH1-7 effectively halted or slowed disease progression in 68.2% of treated coral fragments, and it completely prevented disease transmission in experimental conditions.

This makes McH1-7 a promising candidate as a coral probiotic for the prevention and treatment of SCTLD, potentially offering an alternative to antibiotic use.

The study represents a significant advancement in understanding and combatting this devastating coral disease.