The broad-spectrum kayvirus phage disrupts biofilms formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
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Issued Date
2025-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00426822
eISSN
10960341
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105013352872
Journal Title
Virology
Volume
611
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Virology Vol.611 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Apiratwarrasakul S., Sresuwadjarey P., Phumthanakorn N., Withatanung P., Thongdee M., Lerdsittikul V. The broad-spectrum kayvirus phage disrupts biofilms formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Virology Vol.611 (2025). doi:10.1016/j.virol.2025.110657 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111784
Title
The broad-spectrum kayvirus phage disrupts biofilms formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The escalating global challenge of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) demands innovative therapeutic approaches. This study comprehensively characterized Staphylococcus phage vB_SauM_VL14 (VL14), a virulent bacteriophage from the Herelleviridae family (Twortvirinae subfamily, Kayvirus genus) with a 141,584-bp linear double-stranded DNA genome. Genomic analysis confirmed that phage VL14 is strictly lytic, containing 224 ORFs and four tRNAs, without lysogenic, virulence, or antimicrobial resistance genes. Phage VL14 demonstrated a 30-min latent period with a burst size of 110 PFU. Host range analysis revealed broad activity, lysing 100 % of S. aureus and 60 % of S. pseudintermedius isolates, including methicillin-resistant strains. The phage achieved significant bacterial reductions and exhibited remarkable biofilm-disrupting capabilities, substantially reducing the biofilm mass and viable cell counts. These findings establish phage VL14 as a broad-spectrum lytic phage with potent bactericidal and biofilm-disrupting activity, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus infections and warranting further evaluation in in vivo and clinical settings.