Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>?
ABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most threatening microorganisms for global human health. The current strategies to reduce the impact of S. aureus include a restrictive control of worldwide antibiotic use, prophylactic measures to hinder contamination, and th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Society for Microbiology
2018-03-01
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| Series: | mBio |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mBio.01923-17 |
| _version_ | 1818406506092036096 |
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| author | Diana Gutiérrez Lucía Fernández Ana Rodríguez Pilar García |
| author_facet | Diana Gutiérrez Lucía Fernández Ana Rodríguez Pilar García |
| author_sort | Diana Gutiérrez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most threatening microorganisms for global human health. The current strategies to reduce the impact of S. aureus include a restrictive control of worldwide antibiotic use, prophylactic measures to hinder contamination, and the search for novel antimicrobials to treat human and animal infections caused by this bacterium. The last strategy is currently the focus of considerable research. In this regard, phage lytic proteins (endolysins and virion-associated peptidoglycan hydrolases [VAPGHs]) have been proposed as suitable candidates. Indeed, these proteins display narrow-spectrum antimicrobial activity and a virtual lack of bacterial-resistance development. Additionally, the therapeutic use of phage lytic proteins in S. aureus animal infection models is yielding promising results, showing good efficacy without apparent side effects. Nonetheless, human clinical trials are still in progress, and data are not available yet. This minireview also analyzes the main obstacles for introducing phage lytic proteins as human therapeutics against S. aureus infections. Besides the common technological problems derived from large-scale production of therapeutic proteins, a major setback is the lack of a proper legal framework regulating their use. In that sense, the relevant health authorities should urgently have a timely discussion about these new antimicrobials. On the other hand, the research community should provide data to dispel any doubts regarding their efficacy and safety. Overall, the appropriate scientific data and regulatory framework will encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in these promising antimicrobials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T09:13:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6500886d083c4e3990fcc8fc96c1bff9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-7511 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T09:13:01Z |
| publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | mBio |
| spelling | doaj.art-6500886d083c4e3990fcc8fc96c1bff92022-12-21T23:08:32ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologymBio2150-75112018-03-019110.1128/mBio.01923-17Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>?Diana Gutiérrez0Lucía Fernández1Ana Rodríguez2Pilar García3Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, SpainInstituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, SpainInstituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, SpainInstituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, SpainABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most threatening microorganisms for global human health. The current strategies to reduce the impact of S. aureus include a restrictive control of worldwide antibiotic use, prophylactic measures to hinder contamination, and the search for novel antimicrobials to treat human and animal infections caused by this bacterium. The last strategy is currently the focus of considerable research. In this regard, phage lytic proteins (endolysins and virion-associated peptidoglycan hydrolases [VAPGHs]) have been proposed as suitable candidates. Indeed, these proteins display narrow-spectrum antimicrobial activity and a virtual lack of bacterial-resistance development. Additionally, the therapeutic use of phage lytic proteins in S. aureus animal infection models is yielding promising results, showing good efficacy without apparent side effects. Nonetheless, human clinical trials are still in progress, and data are not available yet. This minireview also analyzes the main obstacles for introducing phage lytic proteins as human therapeutics against S. aureus infections. Besides the common technological problems derived from large-scale production of therapeutic proteins, a major setback is the lack of a proper legal framework regulating their use. In that sense, the relevant health authorities should urgently have a timely discussion about these new antimicrobials. On the other hand, the research community should provide data to dispel any doubts regarding their efficacy and safety. Overall, the appropriate scientific data and regulatory framework will encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in these promising antimicrobials.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mBio.01923-17Staphylococcus aureusbacteriophagebacteriophage therapyendolysin |
| spellingShingle | Diana Gutiérrez Lucía Fernández Ana Rodríguez Pilar García Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>? mBio Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage bacteriophage therapy endolysin |
| title | Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>? |
| title_full | Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>? |
| title_fullStr | Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>? |
| title_short | Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>? |
| title_sort | are phage lytic proteins the secret weapon to kill italic toggle yes staphylococcus aureus italic |
| topic | Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage bacteriophage therapy endolysin |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mBio.01923-17 |
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