Are lytic bacteriophages the secret weapon for killing Staphylococcus aureus?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most threatening microorganisms to global human health. Current strategies to reduce the impact of S. aureus include restrictive control of global antibiotic use, prophylactic measures to prevent contamination, and the search for novel antimicrobial agents to treat infections in humans and animals caused by this bacterium. The latter strategy is currently the focus of extensive research. In this context, phage lytic proteins (endolysins and virion-associated peptidoglycan hydrolases) have been proposed as suitable candidates. Indeed, these proteins exhibit a narrow antimicrobial spectrum and show virtually no development of bacterial resistance. Furthermore, the therapeutic use of phage lytic proteins in S. aureus animal models provides promising results, demonstrating good efficacy without obvious side effects. Nevertheless, human clinical trials are still ongoing, and data are not yet available. This minireview also analyzes the main obstacles to the introduction of phage lytic proteins as human therapeutics against S. aureus infections. In addition to the usual technological problems arising from the large-scale production of therapeutic proteins, a major setback is the lack of an appropriate legal framework governing their use. In this sense, the relevant health authorities should urgently conduct a timely discussion regarding these new antimicrobial agents. On the other hand, the research community should provide data that dispel any doubts about their efficacy and safety. Overall, appropriate scientific data and a corresponding legal framework will encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in these promising antimicrobial agents.

 

Translation of the source: https://mbio.asm.org/content/9/1/e01923-17

Diana Gutiérreza, Lucía Fernándeza, Ana Rodrígueza, Pilar Garcíaa
aInstituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain