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Updated: Jul 17, 2025
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Effective treatment of a broad-host-range lytic phage SapYZU15 in eliminating Staphylococcus aureus from subcutaneous
Hua Wen1, Wenyuan Zhou2, Ying Wu3
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225127, China.
Abstract:
Multidrug resistance (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus is frequently isolated from food products, and can cause severe clinical infection. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a promising biocontrol agent against MDR S. aureus in food contamination and clinical infections. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility of 47 S. aureus isolates from three swine farms, two slaughterhouses, and four markets (Yangzhou, China) were evaluated. The biological characteristics of four lytic S. aureus phages were compared and the lytic activity of phage SapYZU15 against MDR S. aureus was assessed using milk, fresh pork and a mouse model of subcutaneous abscess. The results showed that 28 S. aureus isolates (59.6%, 28/47) exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance to at least three different classes of antibiotics. Compared to SapYZU01, SapYZU02, and SapYZU03, SapYZU15 had a shorter latent period (10 min), larger burst size (322.00 PFU/cell), broader host range, wider temperature stability (-80 to 50 °C), and pH stability. Furthermore, SapYZU15 significantly reduces the counts of S. aureus in milk and pork (5.69 and 1.16 log colony-forming unit/mL, respectively) at 25 °C and controls the growth of S. aureus at 4 °C. Compared to the mice infected with S. aureus MRSA JCSC 4744 and cocktail (S. aureus YZUsa1, YZUsa4, YZUsa12, YZUsa14, and MRSA JCSC 4744), treatment with SapYZU15 led to faster tissue healing, less weight loss, and lower viable S. aureus counts in the murine abscess model. Moreover, prevention with SapYZU15 effectively inhibited abscess formation through a synergistic effect with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Consequently, our results suggest that SapYZU15 is an effective strategy for controlling S. aureus contamination in food products, and possesses an immense potential to treat and prevent clinic infection caused by MDR S. aureus strains. The interactions and mechanisms between SapYZU15 and its bacterial host differed depending on the model, temperature, and multiplicity of infection (MOI).
Insights
Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in food is a threat. Bacteriophage SapYZU15 effectively reduces S. aureus in food and controls infections in a mouse model, showing promise for biocontrol.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDR S. aureus) is prevalent in food products, posing risks for severe infections.
- Bacteriophage therapy offers a potential biocontrol strategy against MDR S. aureus in both food contamination and clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolates from food sources.
- To characterize lytic S. aureus phages and assess the efficacy of phage SapYZU15 against MDR S. aureus in food and a murine infection model.
Main Methods:
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 47 S. aureus isolates.
- Biological characterization of four lytic S. aureus phages, focusing on SapYZU15.
- Assessment of SapYZU15 lytic activity in milk, pork, and a mouse subcutaneous abscess model.
Main Results:
- 59.6% of S. aureus isolates showed multidrug resistance.
- Phage SapYZU15 demonstrated superior characteristics including a shorter latent period, larger burst size, broader host range, and enhanced temperature/pH stability compared to other phages.
- SapYZU15 significantly reduced S. aureus counts in milk and pork and controlled bacterial growth at different temperatures.
- In the mouse model, SapYZU15 treatment accelerated tissue healing, reduced weight loss, and lowered viable bacterial counts, also inhibiting abscess formation.
Conclusions:
- Phage SapYZU15 is a potent agent for controlling S. aureus contamination in food products.
- SapYZU15 holds significant potential for treating and preventing clinical infections caused by MDR S. aureus strains.
- The interaction mechanisms of SapYZU15 are dependent on the specific model, temperature, and multiplicity of infection.
