Isolation of lytic bacteriophages and their relationships with the adherence genes of Staphylococcus saprophyticus

This study aimed to introduce a lytic bacteriophage against Staphylococcus saprophyticus from wastewater in Gorgan, northern Iran.

The vB_SsapS-46 phage was isolated from urban wastewater and formed round and clear plaques on bacterial culture. It was visualized by electron microscopy and had a large head (approximately 106 nm) and a long tail (approximately 150 nm), indicating that it belongs to the Siphoviridae family. The host range of vB_SsapS-46 was determined using a spot test on 35 S. saprophyticus clinical isolates, and it was able to lyse 12 of the 35 clinical isolates (34%). Finally, the relationship between phage sensitivity and adherence genes was assessed, revealing no significant correlation between phage sensitivity and the frequency of adherence genes. The vB_SsapS-46 phage can be used alone or in a mixture in future studies to control urinary tract infections caused by this bacterium, especially in the elimination of drug-resistant pathogens.