Cheng, J. X.Seleem, Mohamed N.Dong, P. T.Hui, J.2021-12-172021-12-172021-05-25http://hdl.handle.net/10919/107094Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) possesses array of strategies to evade antibiotics through mutational inactivation, hiding inside host immune cells or concealing inside the biofilm in a sessile form. We report a drug-free approach to eradicate MRSA through blue-light bleaching of staphyloxanthin ( STX ), an anti-oxidative carotenoid residing inside the cell membrane of S. aureus. The photobleaching process, uncovered through a transient absorption imaging study and quantitated by mass spectrometry, decomposes STX and sensitizes MRSA to reactive oxygen species attack. Consequently, photobleaching using low-level blue light exhibits high-level synergy when combined with low-concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Anti microbial effectiveness of this synergistic therapy is validated in MRSA culture, MRSA-infected macrophage cells, biofilm, and a mouse wound infection model. Collectively, these findings highlight broad applications of STX photo bleaching for MRSA-infected diseases.application/pdfenIn CopyrightPatent2021-12-17Seleem, Mohamed [0000-0003-0939-0458]11,013,933