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A New Phage Lysin Isolated from the Oral Microbiome Targeting Streptococcus pneumoniae

Imme van der Kamp1, Lorraine A Draper1, Muireann K Smith1

  • 1APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 YT20 Cork, Ireland.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

New antimicrobial lysins were discovered from phages targeting multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. The lysin 23TH_48 showed broad lytic activity against S. pneumoniae, offering a potential new weapon against infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant mucosal and invasive infections.
  • Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of S. pneumoniae necessitate novel antimicrobial strategies.
  • Bacteriophage-derived lysins represent a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel bacteriophage-derived lysins with lytic activity against S. pneumoniae.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of these lysins against planktonic and biofilm forms of S. pneumoniae.
  • To assess the potential of these lysins as therapeutic agents against pneumococcal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of two novel Streptococcal phages (23TH and SA01) from the oral microbiome.
  • Recombinant expression and purification of phage lysins (23TH_48 and SA01_53).
  • In vitro testing of lysin activity against various S. pneumoniae and S. anginosus strains, including biofilm assays.

Main Results:

  • Lysin SA01_53 demonstrated specific activity against S. anginosus.
  • Lysin 23TH_48 exhibited broader lytic activity, effectively targeting multiple S. pneumoniae isolates.
  • 23TH_48 significantly reduced S. pneumoniae cell counts and eradicated established biofilms in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • The phage-derived lysin 23TH_48 shows potent lytic activity against S. pneumoniae.
  • 23TH_48 demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic agent for combating pneumococcal infections, including those caused by MDR strains.
  • Further investigation into 23TH_48 is warranted for its development as an antimicrobial intervention.
Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaeantimicrobial therapybacteriophagebiofilmslysins

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