Bacteriophage AB-SA01 Cocktail in Combination with Antibiotics against MRSA-VISA Strain in an In Vitro Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to test the efficacy of bacteriophage-antibiotic combinations (BACs) in vitro in 24-h time-kill settings and in ex vivo simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models for 96 h. BACs prevented the development of bacteriophage resistance, while some bacteriophage resistance emerged in bacteriophage-alone treatments. In addition, BACs resulted in an enhancement of bacterial eradication in SEV models. Our findings support the potential activity of BAC therapy for combating serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

The Plasmid Complement of Lactococcus lactis UC509.9 Encodes Multiple Bacteriophage Resistance Systems

ABSTRACTLactococcus lactissubsp.cremorisstrains are used globally for the production of fermented dairy products, particularly hard cheeses. Believed to be of plant origin,L. lactisstrains that are used as starter cultures have undergone extensive adaptation to the dairy environment, partially through the acquisition of extrachromosomal DNA in the form of plasmids that specify technologically important phenotypic traits. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the eight plasmids ofL. lactisUC509.9, an Irish dairy starter strain. Key industrial phenotypes were mapped, and genes that are typically associated with lactococcal plasmids were identified. Four distinct, plasmid-borne bacteriophage resistance systems were identified, including two abortive infection systems, AbiB and AbiD1, thereby supporting the observed phage resistance ofL. lactisUC509.9. AbiB escape mutants were generated for phage sk1, which were found to carry mutations inorf6, which encodes the major capsid protein of this phage.