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Characterization of a New Staphylococcus aureus Kayvirus Harboring a Lysin Active against Biofilms

Luís D R Melo1, Ana Brandão2, Ergun Akturk3

  • 1LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057, Braga, Portugal. lmelo@deb.uminho.pt.

Viruses
|April 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

A novel bacteriophage, vB_SauM-LM12, and its endolysin show broad-spectrum activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including multidrug-resistant strains. These agents effectively reduce bacterial biofilms, offering potential for treating persistent infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriophage Therapy
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a significant opportunistic pathogen causing biofilm-associated diseases and hospital-acquired infections.
  • The rise of multidrug-resistant strains necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies.
  • Bacteriophages and their endolysins have shown promise as anti-staphylococcal agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel bacteriophage, vB_SauM-LM12 (LM12), and its encoded endolysin.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of LM12 and its endolysin against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.
  • To assess the safety profile of the bacteriophage by analyzing its genome.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of bacteriophage vB_SauM-LM12.
  • Genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of LM12.
  • In vitro antibiofilm assays using LM12 and its purified endolysin.
  • Evaluation of endolysin activity against different bacterial growth phases and biofilm structures.

Main Results:

  • LM12 exhibits a broad host range, active against over 90% of tested S. aureus strains, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
  • The LM12 genome (143,625 bp dsDNA) lacks genes for virulence factors, toxins, or antibiotic resistance.
  • Both LM12 and its endolysin significantly reduced viable bacterial cells and biofilm biomass, with the endolysin showing higher efficacy against planktonic and stationary-phase cells.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophage LM12 and its endolysin possess potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus.
  • The broad host range and safety profile of LM12 suggest its potential as a therapeutic agent.
  • Further investigation into the application of LM12 and its endolysin for treating S. aureus biofilm infections is warranted.
Keywords:
KayvirusStaphylococcus aureusbacteriophagebiofilmsendolysin

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