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In Vitro Susceptibility of Clinical and Carrier Strains of Staphylococcus aureus to STAFAL® Phage Preparation
Marek Straka1, Zuzana Hubenáková2, Lucia Janošíková1
1Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 81108 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Abstract:
The treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus is currently complicated by the increasing number of strains resistant to antimicrobial agents. One promising way to solve this problem is phage therapy. Due to the lack of data on the effectiveness and safety of phage preparations, STAFAL® is the only registered phage preparation for the treatment of infectious diseases in the Slovak Republic and the entire European Union. The aim of this work was to determine the effectiveness of the STAFAL® phage preparation against S. aureus strains of different origins with variable sensitivity to antimicrobial substances and with different genetic backgrounds. For this purpose, 111 carrier strains, 35 clinical isolates from bloodstream infections, and 46 strains from skin and soft tissue infections were analysed. The effectiveness of STAFAL® was determined by the plaque forming method. STAFAL® was effective against 74.0% of the strains tested. Susceptibility to this phage preparation was significantly higher in strains resistant to methicillin (MRSA), erythromycin and clindamycin (p < 0.05). The high efficiency of the STAFAL® preparation was confirmed against spa types t003, t024 and t032, typical of the hospital environment. The in vitro results indicate high therapeutic potential of the STAFAL® antistaphylococcal phage preparation, especially against MRSA strains.
Insights
Phage therapy using STAFAL® shows promise against Staphylococcus aureus infections. This preparation was effective against 74% of strains, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Phage Therapy
Background:
- Increasing antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus complicates infection treatment.
- Phage therapy presents a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.
- STAFAL® is the sole registered phage preparation in the European Union, yet data on its efficacy is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the STAFAL® phage preparation against Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- To assess STAFAL® efficacy across strains with diverse origins, antimicrobial sensitivities, and genetic backgrounds.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 111 carrier strains, 35 bloodstream infection isolates, and 46 skin/soft tissue infection isolates.
- Determination of STAFAL® effectiveness using the plaque-forming assay.
- Statistical analysis to compare susceptibility across different strain characteristics.
Main Results:
- STAFAL® demonstrated effectiveness against 74.0% of the tested Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- Significantly higher susceptibility was observed in strains resistant to methicillin (MRSA), erythromycin, and clindamycin (p < 0.05).
- High efficacy was confirmed against spa types t003, t024, and t032, common in hospital settings.
Conclusions:
- In vitro results suggest STAFAL® possesses significant therapeutic potential against Staphylococcus aureus.
- The preparation is particularly effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.
- STAFAL® represents a viable option for combating challenging Staphylococcus aureus infections.
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