Extracellular vesicles of Acholeplasma laidlawii and its synergistic effect with Azithromycin against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Khashaba, Safinaz H.; Ouda, Sahar E.; Yassin, Aymen S.; Bahy, Rehab H.

doi:10.21608/ejmm.2025.394327.1712

Extracellular vesicles of Acholeplasma laidlawii and its synergistic effect with Azithromycin against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

¹ Department of Microbiology, General Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), formerly National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR)

² Department of Mycoplasma, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC)

³ Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University

⁴ Microbiology and Immunology Faculty of Pharmacy Fayoum university- Fayoum-Egypt

10.21608/ejmm.2025.394327.1712

Abstract

Background: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant public health risk because it causes severe infections and is resistant to many prescribed medications. This makes it especially difficult to treat MRSA infections effectively. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Acholeplasma laidlawii-contaminated cell cultures to enhance azithromycin's antibacterial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methodology: A total of 100 cell cultures were collected and screened to identify mycoplasma strains. Acholeplasma laidlawii was identified as the primary contaminant and further confirmed by microbiological and molecular methods. EVs produced by Acholeplasma laidlawii were separated and characterized using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS),Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The synergistic effect of azithromycin against MRSA was assessed. Results: The synergistic effects of AZM and EVs were determined, resulting in a ΣFIC value of 0.265.Conclusion: This study provides the first evidence of a bacterial extracellular vesicle (EV)-azithromycin synergy. This novel approach not only provides a new way to combat MRSA, but it also provides valuable insights into the interactions between EVs and antibiotics.

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