Combined Use of Bacteriophage K and a Novel Bacteriophage To Reduce Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation |
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Authors: | D. R. Alves A. Gaudion J. E. Bean P. Perez Esteban T. C. Arnot D. R. Harper W. Kot L. H. Hansen M. C. Enright A. Tobias A. Jenkins |
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Affiliation: | aDepartment of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom ;bDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom ;cAmpliPhi Biosciences Corp., Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom ;dSection of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ;eDepartment of Environmental Science, Aarhus Universitet, Roskilde, Denmark |
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Abstract: | Biofilms are major causes of impairment of wound healing and patient morbidity. One of the most common and aggressive wound pathogens is Staphylococcus aureus, displaying a large repertoire of virulence factors and commonly reduced susceptibility to antibiotics, such as the spread of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Bacteriophages are obligate parasites of bacteria. They multiply intracellularly and lyse their bacterial host, releasing their progeny. We isolated a novel phage, DRA88, which has a broad host range among S. aureus bacteria. Morphologically, the phage belongs to the Myoviridae family and comprises a large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome of 141,907 bp. DRA88 was mixed with phage K to produce a high-titer mixture that showed strong lytic activity against a wide range of S. aureus isolates, including representatives of the major international MRSA clones and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Its efficacy was assessed both in planktonic cultures and when treating established biofilms produced by three different biofilm-producing S. aureus isolates. A significant reduction of biofilm biomass over 48 h of treatment was recorded in all cases. The phage mixture may form the basis of an effective treatment for infections caused by S. aureus biofilms. |
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