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Home / Equine Research Bank / Appl Environ Microbiol / Use of a bacteriophage lysin, PlyC, as an enzyme disinfectan...
Applied and environmental microbiology2009; 75(5); 1388-1394; doi: 10.1128/AEM.02195-08

Use of a bacteriophage lysin, PlyC, as an enzyme disinfectant against Streptococcus equi.

Abstract: Streptococcus equi is the causative agent of the purulent infection equine strangles. This disease is transmitted through shedding of live bacteria from nasal secretions and abscess drainage or by contact with surfaces contaminated by the bacteria. Disinfectants are effective against S. equi, but inactivation by environmental factors, damage to equipment, and toxicity are of great concern. Bacteriophage-encoded lysins (cell wall hydrolases) have been investigated as therapeutic agents due to their ability to lyse susceptible gram-positive organisms. Here, we investigate the use of one lysin, PlyC, as a narrow-spectrum disinfectant against S. equi. This enzyme was active against >20 clinical isolates of S. equi, including both S. equi subsp. equi and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Significantly, PlyC was 1,000 times more active on a per weight basis than Virkon-S, a common disinfecting agent, with 1 microg of enzyme able to sterilize a 10(8) CFU/ml culture of S. equi in 30 min. PlyC was subjected to a standard battery of tests including the Use Dilution Method for Testing Disinfectants and the Germicidal Spray Products Test. Results indicate that aerosolized PlyC can eradicate or significantly reduce the S. equi load on a variety of materials found on common stable and horse-related equipment. Additionally, PlyC was shown to retain full activity under conditions that mimic a horse stable, i.e., in the presence of nonionic detergents, hard water, or organic materials. We propose PlyC as the first protein-based, narrow-spectrum disinfectant against S. equi, which may augment or supplement the use of broad-spectrum disinfectants in barns and stables where equine strangles is prevalent.
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Publication Date: 2009-01-09 PubMed ID: 19139235PubMed Central: PMC2648168DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02195-08Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article explores the use of PlyC, a bacteriophage lysin, as a disinfectant against Streptococcus equi, the agent that causes the serious equine disease, equine strangles. The study found that PlyC was significantly more effective than an existing common disinfectant and retained its potency under conditions mimicking a horse stable.

Objective of the research

  • The main aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of PlyC – a kind of bacteriophage lysin – as a disinfectant against Streptococcus equi. This bacterium causes equine strangles, a highly contagious and serious infection in horses that is challenging to control due to the bacteria’s ability to survive on surfaces and in the environment.

Methods used

  • The research team tested PlyC’s impact on over 20 clinical isolates of S. equi, including both S. equi subsp. equi and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus.
  • The effectiveness of PlyC was compared to that of Virkon-S, a common disinfecting agent. The comparison was made on a per weight basis.
  • PlyC was subjected to tests including the Use Dilution Method for Testing Disinfectants and the Germicidal Spray Products Test to ensure reliability.

Findings from the research

  • The research found that PlyC was highly effective against S. equi. Remarkably, it was 1,000 times more active on a per weight basis than Virkon-S.
  • Even just 1 microgram of PlyC was able to completely sterilize a culture of S. equi in 30 minutes.
  • Results suggested that PlyC in an aerosolized form could either substantially reduce or completely eradicate the S. equi load on different materials commonly found on stable and horse-related equipment.
  • PlyC also retained its full activity under conditions that replicate those of a horse stable, such as in the presence of nonionic detergents, hard water, or organic materials.

Implications of the research

  • PlyC could offer a new protein-based, narrow-spectrum disinfectant option against S. equi. This may supplement or replace the use of broad-spectrum disinfectants in barns and stables where equine strangles is prevalent, potentially improving the control of this serious disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoopes JT, Stark CJ, Kim HA, Sussman DJ, Donovan DM, Nelson DC. (2009). Use of a bacteriophage lysin, PlyC, as an enzyme disinfectant against Streptococcus equi. Appl Environ Microbiol, 75(5), 1388-1394. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02195-08

Publication

Applied and environmental microbiology
ISSN: 1098-5336
NlmUniqueID: 7605801
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 75
Issue: 5
Pages: 1388-1394

Researcher Affiliations

Hoopes, J Todd
  • Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
Stark, Caren J
    Kim, Han Ah
      Sussman, Daniel J
        Donovan, David M
          Nelson, Daniel C

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Bacteriophages / enzymology
            • Colony Count, Microbial
            • Disinfectants / pharmacology
            • Microbial Viability
            • Mucoproteins / pharmacology
            • Streptococcus equi / drug effects
            • Time Factors
            • Viral Proteins / pharmacology

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