Bacteriophage-Derived Peptidase CHAPK Eliminates and Prevents Staphylococcal Biofilms

Abstract EN

New antibacterial agents are urgently needed for the elimination of biofilm-forming bacteria that are highly resistant to traditional antimicrobial agents.

Proliferation of such bacteria can lead to significant economic losses in the agri-food sector.

This study demonstrates the potential of the bacteriophage-derived peptidase, CHAPK, as a biocidal agent for the rapid disruption of biofilm-forming staphylococci, commonly associated with bovine mastitis.

Purified CHAPK applied to biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus DPC5246 completely eliminated the staphylococcal biofilms within 4 h.

In addition, CHAPK was able to prevent biofilm formation by this strain.

The CHAPK lysin also reduced S.

aureus in a skin decolonization model.

Our data demonstrates the potential of CHAPK as a biocidal agent for prevention and treatment of biofilm-associated staphylococcal infections or as a decontaminating agent in the food and healthcare sectors.