OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to evaluate the possibility to isolate bacteriolytic bacteriophages against S.aureus from raw sewage water and examine their efficacy as antimicrobial agents in vitro.
METHODS: Bacteriophages were isolated from the raw sewage using the agar overlay method. Isolated bacteriophages were plaque purified to obtain homogenous bacteriophage isolates. The host range of the bacteriophages was determined using the spot test assay against the 25 MRSA and 36 MSSA isolates obtained from the Sarawak General Hospital. Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus xylosus were included as non-SA controls. The identity of the bacteriophages was identified via Transmission Electron Microscopy and genomic size analysis. Their stability at different pH and temperature were elucidated.
RESULTS: A total of 10 lytic bacteriophages infecting S.aureus were isolated and two of them namely ΦNUSA-1 and ΦNUSA-10 from the family of Myoviridae and Siphoviridae respectively exhibited exceptionally broad host range against >80% of MRSA and MSSA tested. Both bacteriophages were specific to S.aureus and stable at both physiologic pH and temperature.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the abundance of S.aureus specific bacteriophages in raw sewage. Their high virulence against both MSSA and MRSA is an excellent antimicrobial characteristic which can be exploited for bacteriophage therapy against MRSA.
KEY FINDINGS: Majority of antimicrobials have been discovered from prokaryotes and those which are of eukaryotic origin are derived mainly from fungal and plant sources. With this in mind, it is important to note that pests, such as cockroaches come across pathogenic bacteria routinely, yet thrive in polluted environments. Other animals, such as snakes thrive from feeding on germ-infested rodents. Logically, such species must have developed an approach to protect themselves from these pathogens, yet they have largely been ignored as a potential source of antimicrobials despite their remarkable capability to fight disease-causing organisms.
SUMMARY: Animals living in polluted environments are an underutilized source for potential antimicrobials, hence it is believed that several novel bioactive molecule(s) will be identified from these sources to counter increasingly resistant bacterial infections. Further research will be necessary in the development of novel antimicrobial(s) from these unusual sources which will have huge clinical impact worldwide.
METHODS: In this article, several studies on stingless bee honey that pointed out the numerous therapeutic profiles of this honey in terms of its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, as well as moisturizing properties are reviewed. All of these therapeutic properties are related to wound healing properties.
RESULTS: Antioxidant in stingless bee honey could break the chain of free radicals that cause a detrimental effect to the wounded area. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of stingless bee honey could overcome the bacterial contamination and thus improve the healing rate. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory attribute in this honey could protect the tissue from highly toxic inflammatory mediators. The moisturizing properties of the honey could improve wound healing by promoting angiogenesis and oxygen circulation.
CONCLUSION: The application of honey to the wound has been widely used since ancient times. As a result, it is essential to understand the pharmacological mechanism of the honey towards the physiology of the wounded skin in order to optimize the healing rate in the future.