Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Efficacy of Endolysin LysAB1245 against a Panel of Important Pathogens

Abstract

Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a significant global challenge. This study explores the antibacterial effects of a bacteriophage-derived endolysin, LysAB1245, against important pathogens, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. We determined the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for all tested isolates. A time–kill study was conducted to evaluate the reduction in bacterial survival following treatment with LysAB1245. Additionally, the effects of LysAB1245 on P. aeruginosa K1455 and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) NPRC 001R-formed biofilms were investigated. The MIC and MBC of LysAB1245 against all the tested isolates ranged from 4.68 to 9.36 µg/mL and 4.68 to 18.72 µg/mL, respectively. The time–kill study demonstrated more than a 4 log CFU/mL (99.99%) reduction in bacterial survival within 6 h of LysAB1245 treatment at 2MIC. LysAB1245 (1/8–1/2MIC) treatment significantly reduced biofilms formed by P. aeruginosa and MRSA in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the potential inhibition effects on 3-day established biofilms formed on abiotic surfaces upon treatment with LysAB1245 at 2MIC. The findings indicate that endolysin LysAB1245 could be employed as a new alternative therapeutic antibacterial and anti-biofilm agent for combating biofilm-related infections.

Keywords

• antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• endolysin
• antibacterial agent
• anti-biofilm agent