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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Targeting Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus aureus Using Resazurin Based Drug-susceptibility Assay
Published on: May 5, 2016
S. aureus Colonization, Biofilm Production, and Phage Susceptibility in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Karlis Racenis1,2, Juta Kroica1, Dace Rezevska1
1Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
Abstract:
Peritonitis caused by Staphylococcusaureus is of major importance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients due to its great virulence profile and biofilm formation ability. Bacteriophages are a potential tool to treat peritonitis resulting from biofilm-associated infections. We screened S. aureus colonization in 71 PD patients from the nasal cavity, groin, and PD exit-site regions and analyzed clinical outcomes in these patients. We performed biofilm-formation testing of different strains and compared the isolates of one patient to detect phenotypic differences in S. aureus. Phage cocktails were used to detect S. aureus in vitro susceptibility. An adaptation procedure was performed in cases of bacterial resistance. Around 30% of PD patients (n = 21) were found to be S. aureus carriers; from these, a total of 34 S. aureus strains were isolated, of which 61.8% (n = 21) produced a strong biofilm. Phenotypic differences in strain biofilm production were detected in eight patients out of ten. All strains were sensitive to commonly used antibiotics. Broadly positive phage lytic activity (100%) was observed in six cocktails out of seven, and bacterial resistance towards phages was overcome using adaptation. Overall phages showed a promising in vitro effect in biofilm-forming S. aureus strains.
Insights
Bacteriophages show promise in combating Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients. These phages effectively targeted biofilm-forming S. aureus strains, offering a potential new treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis is a significant complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.
- S. aureus exhibits high virulence and a propensity for biofilm formation, complicating treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Staphylococcus aureus colonization in PD patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of bacteriophages against S. aureus biofilms in vitro.
- To explore phage therapy as a treatment for PD-related peritonitis.
Main Methods:
- Screening of S. aureus colonization in 71 PD patients (nasal, groin, exit-site).
- Biofilm formation testing and phenotypic analysis of S. aureus isolates.
- In vitro susceptibility testing of S. aureus strains against phage cocktails.
- Bacterial resistance adaptation procedures for phages.
Main Results:
- Approximately 30% of PD patients were S. aureus carriers.
- 61.8% of isolated S. aureus strains exhibited strong biofilm production.
- All strains were sensitive to conventional antibiotics.
- Six out of seven phage cocktails demonstrated broad lytic activity against S. aureus.
- Phage adaptation successfully overcame bacterial resistance.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophages demonstrate significant in vitro efficacy against biofilm-forming S. aureus relevant to PD peritonitis.
- Phage therapy presents a promising alternative or adjunct treatment for S. aureus-related PD infections.
- Further research into phage therapy for PD peritonitis is warranted.
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