Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus Control by Virulent Bacteriophages within MAC-T Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Bacteriophages (phages) are known to effectively kill extracellular multiplying bacteria. The present study demonstrated that phages penetrated bovine mammary epithelial cells and cleared intracellular Staphylococcus aureus in a time-dependent manner. In particular, phage vB_SauM_JS25 reached the nucleus within 3 h postincubation. The phages had an endocytotic efficiency of 12%. This ability to kill intracellular host bacteria suggests the utility of phage-based therapies and may protect patients from recurrent infection and treatment failure.