An Ointment Consisting of the Phage Lysin LysGH15 and Apigenin for Decolonization of Methicillin-Resistant from Skin Wounds.

() is a common and dangerous pathogen that causes various infectious diseases. Skin damage, such as burn wounds, are at high risk of colonization and infection, which increases morbidity and mortality. The phage lysin LysGH15 exhibits highly efficient lytic activity against methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) strains. Apigenin (api) significantly decreases haemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes caused by and shows anti-inflammatory function. LysGH15 and api were added to Aquaphor to form an LysGH15-api-Aquaphor (LAA) ointment. The LAA ointment simultaneously exhibited bactericidal activity against and inhibited haemolysis. In an LAA-treated mouse model of an MRSA-infected skin wound, the mean bacterial colony count decreased to approximately 10² CFU/mg at 18 h after treatment (and the bacteria became undetectable at 96 h), whereas the mean count in untreated mice was approximately 10⁵ CFU/mg of tissue. The LAA ointment also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) and accelerated wound healing in the mouse model. These data demonstrate the potential efficacy of a combination of LysGH15 and api for use as a topical antimicrobial agent against .