Dispersal of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm using TDS97 bacteriophage and recombinant alginate lyase enzyme

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen capable of forming biofilms and contaminate medical devices and food. Bacteremia caused by this organism is one of the most serious complications with a mortality rate from 18 to 61%. This study aimed investigate the synergistic effect between recombinant alginate lyase enzyme and bacteriophage TDS 97 in controlling P. aeruginosa biofilm. TDS97 bacteriophage was isolated from municipal wastewater and purified by the Top-Agar method. Electron microscopy revealed that this phage belonged to the Myoviridae family. Evaluation of the effect of phage on P. aeruginosa biofilm showed that phage significantly inhibited both biofilm formation (about 82%) and was able to cause dispersal of biofilm (79%). Alginate lyase enzyme was purified at a concentration of 130 μg/ml. Its antibacterial effects on P. aeruginosa were investigated. The results showed that the enzyme had a significant effect on inhibiting biofilm formation (about 74%) and its dispersion (about 71%). The synergistic effect of phage and enzyme was evaluated and the results showed that these two anti-biofilm effects strengthen each other (> 81% inhibition, > 77% dispersion). The results of this study demonstrated that the use of recombinant alginate lyase enzyme with bacteriophage TDS 97 may provide a suitable therapeutic alternative for controlling P. aeruginosa biofilm.