Elimination of Biofilm Forming MRSA using Phages

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is among the most important pathogens that forms a biofilm and thus, affecting the humans. Biofilm has always been a threat in health-care associated infections. Biofilm is formed when a microorganism stick together on a surface and frequently embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). This EPS is generally composed of polysaccharides, extracellular DNA and proteins. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a well known and a type of ‘staph’ bacteria that are resistant to many commonly used antimicrobial agents and thus, making it more difficult to treat. MRSA universally attach to surfaces and produce biofilm, especially with implants of medical devices such as urinary catheters, orthopaedic implants, cardiac pacemakers, tracheal and ventilator tubing etc. and thus, causing infections. Biofilms particularly are difficult to treat in medical situations is because of their increasing resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop newer methods of treating MRSA infections. Several in-vitro studies have shown that phages can be used to infect biofilm cells. Depolymerases can penetrate the inner layer of the biofilm by degrading the components of the biofilm exopolymeric matrix and this happens when the phages induce the production of depolymerases. The review highlights the use of bacteriophage for the control of MRSA. In addition, the concept of bacteriophage therapy may open a new horizon in controlling infections such as those caused by MRSA.