Iranian Journal of Pathology

Anti-biofilm Activity of a Lytic Phage Against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Forough Goodarzi 1
Masoumeh Hallajzadeh 1
Mohammad Sholeh 1
Malihe Talebi 1
Vahid Pirhajati Mahabadi 2, 3
Nour Amirmozafari 1

1 Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Neuroscience Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30699/ijp.2022.541855.2760
Abstract
Background & Objective: This study aims to isolate a lytic bacteriophage against planktonic Enterococcus faecalis V583 culture and evaluate its ability to disrupt and inhibit biofilm.
Methods: An anti-E. faecalis phage was isolated from sewage and visualized by electron microscopy, the vB_EfsS_V583 (V583) host range was determined by spot test on 13 E. faecalis clinical strains. Inhibition and degradation experiments were designed to investigate the effect of phage on biofilm. In the inhibition and degradation assay, biofilms were formed in the presence and absence of phage, respectively. Finally, crystal violet method tested the effect of phage on biofilm.
Results: Phage V583 belongs to the Siphoviridae family and can infect all E. faecalis strains. Antibacterial activity has been shown to degrade and inhibit biofilm produced by V583. The study results showed that phage v583 is more efficient in biofilm inhibition than biofilm degradation. In both assays, phage-treated wells' absorption is less than untreated wells. These results were confirmed by Colony-forming unit reduction in the treated biofilm.
Conclusion: The anti-biofilm activity showed that phage therapy using phage V583 might be an alternative tool to remove E. faecalis biofilms.

Keywords

Bacteriophages
Biofilms
Enterococcus faecalis
PCR
Phage Therapy
Vancomycin Resistance

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Pathology
Volume 17, Issue 3
Summer 2022
Pages 285-294

  • Receive Date 07 November 2021
  • Revise Date 10 May 2022
  • Accept Date 30 June 2022

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