Researchers have developed a bacteria-killing enzyme that could potentially replace antibiotics.

The new treatment, called Staphefekt^TM, is equally effective in killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), the Dutch biotech company Micreos reported.

Staphefekt^TM is the first endolysin (an enzyme originated from bacteriophages) available for human use on intact skin. Phages use bacteria to replicate, and in the process endolysins kill bacteria by destroying their walls. The working mechanism of endolysins is not related to antibiotics, meaning the new treatment could effectively eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The treatment also kills the target bacteria extremely quickly and targets a region of the bacterial wall that is less susceptible to mutation.

"The results are exciting, and demonstrate the potential of this technology has to [revolutionize] the way we treat certain bacterial infections. With the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, new strategies for the treatment of bacterial infections are needed. As well as being less prone to resistance induction than antibiotics, endolysins destroy only their target bacterial species, leaving the beneficial bacteria alone," said Dr. Bjorn Herpers, Clinical Microbiologist at Public Health Lab, Kennemerland.

In vitro and observational in vivo studies have confirmed these characteristics. In a case series after the local application of Staphefekt^TM for one week, the researchers observed lesions were eradicated in S. aureus-positive rosacea patients while harmless bacteria remained intact. In another study S. aureus was found in six skin cultures before treatment and in five out of six of these patients symptoms disappeared during treatment.  

"With the introduction of Staphefekt^TM, we enter a new era in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria, targeting only the unwanted bacteria. This is a far more logical and elegant approach. Millions of people stand to benefit. That's very exciting and gratifying," said Mark Offerhaus, Micreos CEO.