Biofilm prevention, disruption and treatment with bacteriophage lysin

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for the prevention, control, disruption and treatment of bacterial biofilms with lysin, particularly lysin having capability to kill Staphylococcal bacteria, including drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, particularly the lysin PlySs2. The invention also provides compositions and methods for use in treatment or modulation of bacterial biofilm(s) and biofilm formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for prevention, disruption or treatment of a gram-positive bacterial biofilm comprising contacting a biofilm with a composition comprising a lysin polypeptide capable of killing Staphylococci, wherein the biofilm is effectively prevented, dispersed or treated. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lysin polypeptide is PlySs2. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the lysin polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence as set out in  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) or variants thereof having at least 80% identity to the polypeptide of  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) and effective to kill the gram-positive bacteria in the biofilm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition further comprises one or more antibiotic. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the antibiotic is selected from daptomycin, vancomycin, and linezolid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising contacting the biofilm with one or more antibiotic. 
     
     
         7 . A method of preventing or reducing gram-positive bacterial biofilm formation comprising contacting a medical device, catheter, or implant with a composition comprising a lysin polypeptide capable of killing Staphylococci wherein the lysin is PlySs2. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the lysin polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence as set out in  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) or variants thereof having at least 80% identity to the polypeptide of  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) and effective to prevent or reduce the formation of bacterial biofilm or the attachment and growth of bacteria on the medical device, catheter, or implant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the composition further comprises an antibiotic. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the antibiotic is selected from daptomycin, vancomycin, and linezolid or a related compound. 
     
     
         11 . A composition for use in prevention, disruption or treatment of a gram-positive bacterial biofilm comprising a lysin polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set out in  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) or variants thereof having at least 80% identity to the polypeptide of  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) and effective to kill the gram-positive bacteria in the biofilm. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11  further comprising one or more antibiotic. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the antibiotic is selected from daptomycin, vancomycin, and linezolid or a related compound. 
     
     
         14 . A composition for prevention, disruption or treatment of a Streptococcal or Staphylococcal bacterial biofilm comprising a lysin polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set out in  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) or variants thereof having at least 80% identity to the polypeptide of  FIG.  5    (SEQ ID NO: 1) and effective to kill the Staphylococcal or Streptococcal bacteria. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14  further comprising one or more antibiotic.