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Abstract

Background:   Bacteriophages can be used as biocontrol agents to eliminate the undesirable and targeted bacteria in human beings, environment and industries. We aimed to isolate phages from cow manure and investigate their antibacterial and anti-biofilm formation effect against MRSA and  E. coli  species. Method:  E. coli  and  S. aureus  isolates of clinical origin were sub-cultured on MacConkey’s and Mannitol salt agar media, respectively. To confirm the Methicillin resistance in  S. aureus ,  mecA  gene was detected by the PCR using gene specific forward and reverse primers. The bacteriophages were isolated using enrichment procedure from cow manure. Their antibacterial and anti-biofilm formation activity was determined through the inhibition of bacterial growth and decrease in the absorbance of Crystal Violet through biofilm inhibition assay, respectively. Results:  The isolated phages showed clear plaque formation against MRSA and  E. coli  species. The time-dependent lytic assay showed a sharp decline in OD 600  of MRSA and  E. coli  after one hour incubation with the phages. Biofilm inhibition was indicated by a decrease in the absorbance (OD 595 ) of CV in a microtiter well plate Conclusion:  This is perhaps the first study to isolate phages from cow manure at local region and demonstrate their lytic efficiency against MRSA and  E. coli , with the ultimate aim to use them as a promising biocontrol agent against antibiotic resistant pathogens. Keywords: Phages; MRSA; Plaque formation; Biofilm inhibition;  E. coli ; Biocontrol