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Intranasal application of S. epidermidis prevents colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in mice
Bonggoo Park1, Tadayuki Iwase, George Y Liu
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and the Immunobiology Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
Abstract:
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus emerged in recent decades to become a leading cause of infection worldwide. Colonization with MRSA predisposes to infection and facilitates transmission of the pathogen; however, available regimens are ineffective at preventing MRSA colonization. Studies of human nasal flora suggest that resident bacteria play a critical role in limiting S. aureus growth, and prompted us to query whether application of commensal resident bacteria could prevent nasal colonization with MRSA. We established a murine model system to study this question, and showed that mice nasally pre-colonized with S. epidermidis became more resistant to colonization with MRSA. Our study suggests that application of commensal bacteria with antibiotics could represent a more effective strategy to prevent MRSA colonization.
Insights
Commensal bacteria, like Staphylococcus epidermidis, can prevent nasal colonization by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This suggests using resident bacteria with antibiotics may be a novel strategy against MRSA.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant global health threat, causing widespread infections.
- Current treatments are insufficient for preventing MRSA colonization, which facilitates infection and transmission.
- Human nasal flora studies indicate resident bacteria can inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether applying commensal resident bacteria can prevent nasal colonization with MRSA.
- To explore a novel strategy for combating MRSA colonization and infection.
Main Methods:
- Development of a murine model to study MRSA nasal colonization.
- Pre-colonization of mice with the commensal bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis.
- Assessment of resistance to subsequent MRSA colonization.
Main Results:
- Mice pre-colonized with S. epidermidis demonstrated increased resistance to MRSA colonization.
- This indicates a protective role for commensal bacteria against MRSA nasal colonization.
Conclusions:
- Application of commensal bacteria, such as S. epidermidis, can prevent MRSA nasal colonization.
- Combining commensal bacteria with antibiotics may offer a more effective strategy for MRSA prevention.
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