Bacteriophage vB_SepP_134 and Endolysin LysSte_134_1 as Potential Staphylococcus-Biofilm-Removing Biological Agents.

Bacteria of the genus are significant challenge for medicine, as many species are resistant to multiple antibiotics and some are even to all of the antibiotics we use. One of the approaches to developing new therapeutics to treat staphylococcal infections is the use of bacteriophages specific to these bacteria or the lytic enzymes of such bacteriophages, which are capable of hydrolyzing the cell walls of these bacteria. In this study, a new bacteriophage vB_SepP_134 (St 134) specific to was described. This podophage, with a genome of 18,275 bp, belongs to the genus. St 134 was able to infect various strains of 12 of the 21 tested coagulase-negative species and one clinical strain from the complex. The genes encoding endolysin (LysSte134_1) and tail tip lysin (LysSte134_2) were identified in the St 134 genome. Both enzymes were cloned and produced in cells. The endolysin LysSte134_1 demonstrated catalytic activity against peptidoglycans isolated from , , and . LysSte134_1 was active against and planktonic cells and destroyed the biofilms formed by clinical strains of and .