Biological characteristics and anti-biofilm activity of a lytic phage against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium

• 出版年: Iranian Journal of Microbiology
• 主要な著者: Forough Goodarzi, Masoumeh Hallajzadeh, Mohammad Sholeh, Malihe Talebi, Vahid Pirhajati Mahabadi, Nour Amirmozafari
• フォーマット: 論文
• 言語: 英語
• 出版事項: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2021-10-01
• 主題: Enterococcus faecium; Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium; Phage therapy; Antibiotic-resistance; Biofilm
• オンライン･アクセス: https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2986
• ISSN: 2008-3289; 2008-4447

Background and Objectives: An important leading cause of the emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, especially Enterococcus faecium, is the inefficiency of antibiotics in the elimination of drug-resistant pathogens. Consequently, the need for alternative treatments is more necessary than ever. Materials and Methods: A highly effective bacteriophage against vancomycin-resistant E. faecium called vB-EfmS-S2 was isolated from hospital sewage. The biological properties of phage S2 and its effect on biofilm structures were determined. Results: Phage S2 was specifically capable of lysing a wide range of clinical E. faecium isolates. According to Electron microscopy observations, the phage S2 belonged to the Siphoviridea family. Suitable pH spectra for phage survival was 5-11, at which the phage showed 100% activity. The optimal temperature for phage growth was 30-45°C, with the highest growth at 37°C. Based on one-step growth curve results, the latent period of phage S2 was 14 min with a burst size of 200 PFU/ml. The phage S2 was also able to tolerate bile at concentrations of 1 and 2% and required Mg2+ for an effective infection cycle. Biofilms were significantly inhibited and disrupted in the presence of the phage. Conclusion: According to the results, phage S2 could potentially be an alternative for the elimination and control of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium biofilm.