Uso de bacteriófagos no controle da Cutibacterium acnes e infecções secundárias por Staphyloccoccus spp.

Abstract

Bacteriophages are viruses capable of infecting bacteria and have been investigated as a promising alternative for the control of bacterial infections, including those associated with acne. In this context, the present study aimed to isolate bacteriophages from environmental and cutaneous sources and to evaluate their lytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Cutibacterium acnes, as well as to investigate their interaction with bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus. Environmental samples were collected from the Botafogo stream and a wastewater treatment plant in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Cutaneous samples were obtained from acne lesions, including comedones and pustules. Bacteriophages were isolated from these samples using microbiological techniques with bacterial host cultures. The bacterial strains were previously cultured and standardized according to cell density prior to the experimental assays. Lytic activity was evaluated through microbiological assays by observing the formation of zones of lysis and lysis plaques in bacterial cultures. Nine bacteriophages were isolated from the different sources analyzed. All isolates exhibited lytic activity against the tested bacterial strains, demonstrating their ability to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Cutibacterium acnes. The interaction of these bacteriophages with bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus was also evaluated. The results demonstrate the potential of the isolated bacteriophages as bacterial control agents in dermatological conditions, highlighting phage therapy as a promising alternative strategy in response to increasing antimicrobial resistance.