Phage lytic enzymes as therapy for antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in a murine sepsis model

Abstract

Our findings suggest strongly that phage lysins protect animals from bacteraemia and death. Moreover, the simultaneous attack of the pneumococcal peptidoglycan by a lysozyme and an amidase leads to a remarkable effect through enhanced destruction of the bacterial cell wall. The benefits of therapy with enzybiotics against pneumococcus reported here might warrant the examination of alternative strategies for the treatment of diseases caused by clinically relevant pathogens.