title: Bacteriophage-Derived Peptidase CHAP(K) Eliminates and Prevents Staphylococcal Biofilms.
abstract: New antibacterial agents are urgently needed for the elimination of biofilm-forming bacteria that are highly resistant to traditional antimicrobial agents. Proliferation of such bacteria can lead to significant economic losses in the agri-food sector. This study demonstrates the potential of the bacteriophage-derived peptidase, CHAP(K), as a biocidal agent for the rapid disruption of biofilm-forming staphylococci, commonly associated with bovine mastitis. Purified CHAP(K) applied to biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus DPC5246 completely eliminated the staphylococcal biofilms within 4 h. In addition, CHAP(K) was able to prevent biofilm formation by this strain. The CHAP(K) lysin also reduced S. aureus in a skin decolonization model. Our data demonstrates the potential of CHAP(K) as a biocidal agent for prevention and treatment of biofilm-associated staphylococcal infections or as a decontaminating agent in the food and healthcare sectors.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Fenton
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Keary
authors: Olivia
authors: O
authors: McAuliffe
authors: R Paul
authors: RP
authors: Ross
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: O'Mahony
authors: Aidan
authors: A
authors: Coffey