Antibacterial Effects of Recombinant Endolysins in Disinfecting Medical Equipment: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Nosocomial infections pose a significant threat, often caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria.
• MDR bacteria are a growing concern in hospital settings, necessitating effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of endolysins (lysins) as disinfectants against bacteria contaminating medical devices.
• To explore lysins as an alternative to conventional chemical disinfectants in hospitals.

Main Methods:

• Eight patient-removed catheters were analyzed for bacterial contamination.
• Bacterial species were isolated, identified using 16s rRNA sequencing, and tested against two lysins: LysSS and CHAP-161.
• The bactericidal activity of lysins against identified bacterial contaminants was compared to untreated controls.

Main Results:

• Five bacterial species were identified from seven contaminated catheters, including *Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus muralis, Corynebacterium striatum, Enterococcus faecium*, and *Staphylococcus epidermidis*.
• LysSS demonstrated inhibitory effects against *C. striatum* and *S. epidermidis*, but not *E. faecium*.
• CHAP-161 exhibited stronger bactericidal activity than LysSS, though it was ineffective against *S. epidermidis*.

Conclusions:

• Lysins show promise as effective agents for disinfecting medical devices contaminated with hospital-acquired pathogens.
• These findings suggest lysins could serve as a viable alternative to hazardous chemical disinfectants in healthcare environments.