Isolation and Evaluation of a Lytic Staphylophage Specific to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus from Postsurgical Wound Infections in Surgical Wards at Mzuzu Central Hospital, Malawi.

The study investigated the isolation and properties of bacteriophages (staphylophages) specific to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from sewage at Mzuzu Central Hospital in Malawi. From 56 pus samples collected from post-surgical patients, 18 S. aureus strains were identified, of which 61.1% were MRSA. The isolated staphylophage demonstrated lytic activity against 87% of tested Staphylococcus species. The phage remained stable at temperatures ranging from -80 °C to 4 °C and across a pH range of 2 to 12. It retained viability after UV exposure for up to 15 minutes, although a reduction in phage titre was observed after 30 minutes. The findings suggest potential for this staphylophage as a candidate for alternative therapeutic approaches to treat MRSA infections.