Characterization and therapeutic potential of newly isolated bacteriophages against Staphylococcus species in bovine mastitis

Abstract

Bovine mastitis, primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus, significantly affects the dairy industry by reducing milk production and quality. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has prompted the need for alternative treatments. The three newly isolated bacteriophages, OPT-SA02, OPT-SC01, and OPT-SX11, were isolated from chicken fecal and sewage samples in South Korea. These bacteriophages were characterized via physiological and genomic analyses, identifying their therapeutic potential against S. aureus-induced mastitis. The bacteriophages were identified as members of the Herelleviridae family, exhibiting stability across broad pH (2–12) and temperature (37–70°C) ranges, as well as strong antibacterial activity at low multiplicity of infection (MOI) levels. Genomic analysis revealed that the conservation of lysis-related genes (holin and endolysin) is responsible for their lytic capabilities. Additionally, protein structural predictions revealed multi-domain structures in their endolysins, enhancing their lytic potential. These findings suggest that OPT-SA02, OPT-SC01, and OPT-SX11 show significant promise as alternative treatments for bovine mastitis. © © 2025 Cho et al.