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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Susceptibility to postbiotics - enterocins of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from
Natália Zábolyová1,2, Andrea Lauková1, Monika Pogány Simonová3
1Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Šoltésovej 4-6, Košice, 04001, Slovakia.
Abstract:
There is a major problem with the rising occurrence of highly virulent and multiply-resistant strains, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), because of their difficult treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of new enterocins (Ent) against potential pathogenic MRSA strains isolated from rabbits. Staphylococci were identified with PCR and screened for methicillin/oxacillin/cefoxitin resistance (MR) using the disk diffusion method and the PBP2' Latex Agglutination Test Kit. Enzyme production, hemolysis, DNase activity, slime production, and biofilm formation were tested in MRSA strains. The susceptibility of MRSA to eight partially-purified enterocins (Ent) produced by E. faecium and E. durans strains was checked using agar spot tests. The antibiofilm activity of Ents was tested using a quantitative plate assay. Out of 14 MRSA, PBP testing confirmed MR in 8 strains. The majority of MRSA showed DNase activity and β-hemolysis. Slime production and moderate biofilm formation were observed in all strains. MRSA were susceptible to tested Ents (100-12,800 AU/mL; except Ent4231). The antibiofilm effect of Ents (except Ent4231) was noted in the high range (64.9-97.0%). These results indicate that enterocins offer a promising option for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections caused by biofilm-forming MRSA.
Insights
New enterocins show strong antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These findings suggest enterocins could be a promising treatment for MRSA infections, especially those forming biofilms.
Area of Science:
- Bacteriology
- Antimicrobial Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), poses significant treatment challenges.
- MRSA infections are often associated with biofilm formation, complicating eradication and increasing virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of novel enterocins (Ent) against pathogenic MRSA strains.
- To investigate the characteristics of MRSA strains, including resistance mechanisms and biofilm-forming capabilities.
Main Methods:
- MRSA identification and methicillin resistance confirmation using PCR and PBP2' Latex Agglutination Test.
- Evaluation of MRSA enzymatic activities, hemolysis, slime production, and biofilm formation.
- Testing enterocin susceptibility and antibiofilm activity via agar spot and quantitative plate assays.
Main Results:
- Eight of 14 MRSA isolates were confirmed resistant; most exhibited DNase activity, β-hemolysis, slime production, and moderate biofilm formation.
- MRSA strains demonstrated susceptibility to tested enterocins (except Ent4231) at concentrations of 100-12,800 AU/mL.
- Enterocins exhibited significant antibiofilm activity, reducing biofilm formation by 64.9-97.0% (except Ent4231).
Conclusions:
- Enterocins possess potent antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against MRSA.
- These results highlight enterocins as a potential therapeutic strategy for managing MRSA infections, particularly those involving biofilms.
