IADR Abstract Archives
The end of caries? Novel phages against Streptococcus mutans
Objectives: Streptococcus mutans, a facultative gram-positive anaerobe, is considered one of the principal agents of caries formation.
Although caries is related to bacterial contamination, in cannot be treated using conventional antibiotics, and thus it remains one of the most prevalence diseases of humanity.
A promising alternative approach, regaining interest, is bacteriophage (phage) therapy. Phages are bacterial viruses that invade specific bacterial hosts, disrupt their metabolism, and cause the bacterium to lyse, while they multiply themselves at the infection site.
The objective of this study was to isolate anti S. mutans bacteriophages and to evaluate its efficacy against planktonic and biofilm cultures.
Methods: Isolation and propagation of phages was performed by screening human saliva samples on a standard double-layered agar method and broth. The phages were characterized using TEM and whole genome sequence analysis. Antibacterial properties against planktonic bacteria were determined by evaluation of lytic activity. Anti-biofilm activity was determined by CFU/mL, crystal violet and SEM.
Results: An anti- S. mutans phage, termed SMHBZ1, was isolated from human saliva afte screening more than 150 samples. The phage was visualized by electron microscopy. SMHBZ1 coding sequences and phylogeny were determined by whole genome sequencing. SMHBZ1 antibacterial efficacy was evaluated in vitro against planktonic and biofilm cultures, showing effective lytic activity against both S. mutans clinical and other ATCC strains.
Conclusions: Anti-S. mutans phage are effective against S. mutans planktonic as well as biofilm bacteria. These findings suggest that anti-S.mutans phage SMHBZ1 may be effective in treating dental caries.
Although caries is related to bacterial contamination, in cannot be treated using conventional antibiotics, and thus it remains one of the most prevalence diseases of humanity.
A promising alternative approach, regaining interest, is bacteriophage (phage) therapy. Phages are bacterial viruses that invade specific bacterial hosts, disrupt their metabolism, and cause the bacterium to lyse, while they multiply themselves at the infection site.
The objective of this study was to isolate anti S. mutans bacteriophages and to evaluate its efficacy against planktonic and biofilm cultures.
Methods: Isolation and propagation of phages was performed by screening human saliva samples on a standard double-layered agar method and broth. The phages were characterized using TEM and whole genome sequence analysis. Antibacterial properties against planktonic bacteria were determined by evaluation of lytic activity. Anti-biofilm activity was determined by CFU/mL, crystal violet and SEM.
Results: An anti- S. mutans phage, termed SMHBZ1, was isolated from human saliva afte screening more than 150 samples. The phage was visualized by electron microscopy. SMHBZ1 coding sequences and phylogeny were determined by whole genome sequencing. SMHBZ1 antibacterial efficacy was evaluated in vitro against planktonic and biofilm cultures, showing effective lytic activity against both S. mutans clinical and other ATCC strains.
Conclusions: Anti-S. mutans phage are effective against S. mutans planktonic as well as biofilm bacteria. These findings suggest that anti-S.mutans phage SMHBZ1 may be effective in treating dental caries.