Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

24.6K

The broad-spectrum kayvirus phage disrupts biofilms formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and

Sukanya Apiratwarrasakul1, Pathomporn Sresuwadjarey1, Nathita Phumthanakorn2

  • 1Veterinary Diagnostic Center, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

Virology
|August 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study characterizes Staphylococcus phage VL14, a lytic bacteriophage effective against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). Phage VL14 shows potent bactericidal and biofilm-disrupting activity, indicating therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriophage Therapy
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) pose significant global health threats.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to combat these multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively characterize Staphylococcus phage vB_SauM_VL14 (VL14) for its therapeutic potential.
  • To evaluate the lytic activity, host range, and biofilm-disrupting capabilities of phage VL14.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic analysis of phage VL14 to determine its genetic makeup and identify potential risks.
  • Assessment of phage VL14's lytic properties, including latent period and burst size.
  • Host range determination against clinical isolates of S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius.
  • Evaluation of phage VL14's efficacy in reducing bacterial load and disrupting biofilms.

Main Results:

  • Phage VL14 possesses a 141,584-bp dsDNA genome and is strictly lytic, lacking undesirable genes.
  • It exhibits a short latent period (30 min) and a high burst size (110 PFU).
  • Phage VL14 effectively lyses 100% of S. aureus and 60% of S. pseudintermedius isolates, including resistant strains, and significantly reduces bacterial counts and biofilm formation.

Conclusions:

  • Phage VL14 is a broad-spectrum lytic bacteriophage with significant bactericidal and biofilm-disrupting properties.
  • Its characteristics support its potential as a therapeutic agent against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus infections.
  • Further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to validate its therapeutic efficacy.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistanceBacteriophageBiofilmMRSAMRSPStaphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus pseudintermedius

More Related Videos

Targeting Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus aureus Using Resazurin Based Drug-susceptibility Assay10:00

Targeting Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus aureus Using Resazurin Based Drug-susceptibility Assay

Published on: May 5, 2016

13.3K
A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries09:39

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

Published on: December 27, 2016

17.9K

Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
271
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the...
71.9K
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
92
DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
143
Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
201
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
243