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Published on: May 8, 2013
Phage Activity against Planktonic and Biofilm Staphylococcus aureus Periprosthetic Joint Infection Isolates
Katherine M C Totten1,2, Robin Patel1,3
1Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinicgrid.66875.3a, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Abstract:
We recently reported the successful treatment of a case of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) with phage. Phage activity against bacteria causing PJI has not been systematically evaluated. Here, we examined the in vitro activity of seven phages against 122 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus recovered between April 1999 and February 2018 from subjects with PJI. Phages were assessed against planktonic and biofilm phenotypes. Activity of individual phages was demonstrated against up to 73% of bacterial isolates in the planktonic state and up to 100% of biofilms formed by isolates that were planktonically phage susceptible. Susceptibility to phage was not correlated with small-colony-variant phenotype for planktonic or biofilm bacteria; correlation between antibiotic susceptibility and planktonic phage susceptibility and between biofilm phage susceptibility and strength of biofilm formation were noted under select conditions. These results demonstrate that phages can infect S. aureus causing PJI in both planktonic and biofilm phenotypes, and thus are worthy of investigation as an alternative or addition to antibiotics in this setting.
Insights
Bacteriophages effectively target Staphylococcus aureus in both planktonic and biofilm states, offering a promising alternative for treating periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). This study evaluated phage activity against clinical PJI isolates.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of joint replacement surgery.
- Current antibiotic treatments for PJI often face challenges due to bacterial resistance and biofilm formation.
- Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and are being explored as an alternative antimicrobial strategy.
Observation:
- Seven phages were tested against 122 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from PJI patients.
- Phage activity was assessed against both planktonic bacteria and bacteria within biofilms.
- Small-colony-variant phenotype did not correlate with phage susceptibility in either state.
Findings:
- Individual phages showed activity against up to 73% of planktonic Staphylococcus aureus isolates.
- Phages were effective against up to 100% of biofilms formed by susceptible isolates.
- Correlations were observed between antibiotic susceptibility and planktonic phage susceptibility, and between biofilm phage susceptibility and biofilm formation strength.
Implications:
- These findings demonstrate the potential of phages to combat Staphylococcus aureus in both planktonic and biofilm forms relevant to PJI.
- Phage therapy warrants further investigation as a standalone or adjunctive treatment for periprosthetic joint infections.
- This research supports the development of phage-based strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance in orthopedic infections.
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