ISOLATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES AND THEIR EFFECT AGAINST MULTI DRUG RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Background: Antibiotic resistance poses a significant public health threat, prompting scientists to explore safer alternatives like phages for controlling bacteria. Objectives: The study aimed to isolate indigenous bacteriophages and explore their antibacterial properties against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Methodology: Ear samples were used for S. aureus isolation, cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar, and identified through Gram staining and biochemical tests. MDRSA strains were confirmed using antibiotic disc diffusion and phage antibacterial activity determined. The study isolated phages from sewage water samples using a 0.22μm filter and MDRSA, and their antibacterial activity was assessed using the spot test method. Results: Out of 44 samples, 45.45% (20) showed yellow-colored colonies on MSA, indicating gram-positive cocci in bunches, catalase, and coagulase test-positive. The antibiotic sensitivity results showed that 100% of the 20 S. aureus isolated strains were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, oxacillin, and amoxiclav drugs, while 100% were sensitive to gentamycin, amikacin, and Clindamycin. 90% to cefoxitin, 75% to ciprofloxacin, 65% to erythromycin, 30% to tetracycline, 20% to streptomycin, vancomycin, and norfloxacin, 15% to chloramphenicol, and 10% to kanamycin. Bacteriophages were isolated from sewage water and confirmed based on plaques. In the spot test, bacteriophages plaques were observed on spotted places. Conclusion: In this study, the indigenous bacteriophages were successfully isolated, and they exhibited good antibacterial activity against MDRSA.