Vol. 11, Special Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
Zala AM, Mathapati BS, Javia BB, Singh VK and Chorvada DR

Abstract:
Bacteriophages are considered as alternative approach to combat with multi drug resistant bacterial infections. Phage vB_SaP-AZ2 is anti-staphylococcal bacteriophage belonging to podoviridae, which possesses specific and potent bactericidal activity against multi drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The study was carried out with an aim of isolation and identification of a lytic bacteriophage against multi drug resistant staphylococci from animal origin. The lytic bacteriophage was isolated from sewage source, enriched with specific MDR Staphylococci, concentrated and purified using PEG precipitation techniques. The phage morphology, structure and stability were determined using electron microscopy (SEM & TEM) and other physicochemical methods. The phage (vB_SaP-AZ2) belonged to family Podoviridae with icosahedron head with diameter 86 nm and a non-contractile tail measuring about 36 nm in length. The thermo-stability of phage was observed to be up to 45 °C, higher temperatures resulted in progressive inactivation. The phage was stable in pH range of 6-8. UV exposure for 1 hr and chloroform treatment for 24 hrs did not affect the phage stability. The host range of phage was determined by plaque assay. The phage had lytic activity against 52.5% of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus spp. whereas it was effective against 73.33% of MRS isolates in-vitro.