The endolysin of theAcinetobacter baumanniiphage vB_AbaP_D2 shows broad antibacterial activity

The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria has induced intense research for novel therapeutic approaches. In this study, theAcinetobacter baumanniibacteriophage D2 (vB_AbaP_D2) was isolated, characterized and sequenced. The endolysin of bacteriophage D2, namely Abtn-4, contains an amphipathic helix and was found to have activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative strains. By more than 3 log units,A. baumanniiwere killed by Abtn-4 (5 mu M) in 2 h. In absence of outer membrane permeabilizers, Abtn-4 exhibited broad antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, such asStaphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Klebsiella pneumonia,EnterococcusandSalmonella. Furthermore, Abtn-4 had the ability to reduce biofilm formation. Interestingly, Abtn-4 showed antimicrobial activity against phage-resistant bacterial mutants. Based on these results, endolysin Abtn-4 may be a promising candidate therapeutic agent for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

Automated summary

The study identified the bacteriophage D2 with potent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, and its endolysin Abtn-4 showed the ability to reduce biofilm formation. Abtn-4 exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as phage-resistant bacterial mutants. These findings suggest that endolysin Abtn-4 may serve as a promising candidate for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.