Potential of bacteriophages and their lysins in the treatment of MRSA: current status and future perspectives

Abstract

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically infect and kill bacteria. Lysins are enzymes of bacteriophage origin that cleave covalent bonds in peptidoglycan, thereby inducing rapid lysis of a bacterial cell. As potential antibacterial agents, phages and lysins have some important features in common, especially the capacity to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a narrow antibacterial range, and lack of toxic effects on mammalian cells. In this article we present the staphylococcal phages and their lysins that can be used to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of today's most dangerous pathogens. We also discuss the use of phages as vectors specifically delivering different antibacterial agents to bacterial cells. Experimental data show that both phages and lysins could be effective in the treatment of MRSA.