Daniel Nelson
University of Maryland, USA
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
Dr. Daniel Nelson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR). His research focuses on bacteriophage endolysins, exploring their structure and function to develop alternative antimicrobials against bacterial pathogens. With extensive experience in protein engineering and antimicrobial resistance, Dr. Nelson aims to harness phage-derived enzymes for therapeutic applications. His work contributes to the growing field of phage-based biocontrol strategies in veterinary and human medicine.
Affiliations: (1). University of Maryland (USA) (2). University of Louisville (USA)
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major contributor to severe maternal and neonatal outcomes, including stillbirth, meningitis, and long-term developmental complications. Despite its high prevalence, with one in four women carrying GBS vaginally, there are no licensed vaccines, and diagnostic efforts remain limited to high-income settings. Rising antibiotic resistance, patient allergies, and concerns regarding antibiotic use during pregnancy further highlight the need for alternative therapies. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins, which rapidly degrade bacterial cell walls, offer a promising non-antibiotic approach. In this study, we report on the anti-streptococcal efficacy of ClyX-2, a novel chimeric endolysin synthesized by our group. ClyX-2 demonstrated potent activity against multiple GBS strains at concentrations as low as 2 µM, significantly reducing both planktonic burden and mature biofilms. Within 30 minutes, ClyX-2 eradicated biofilm biomass, and confocal microscopy confirmed disruption of the biofilm matrix. In an epithelial cell culture model, ClyX-2 sterilized co-inoculated GBS within 4 hours and achieved > 3-log reduction in 24-hour preformed biofilms. Importantly, treatment with ClyX-2 also lowered pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion associated with GBS infection. In cervicovaginal mucus, ClyX-2 significantly inhibited GBS metabolism without affecting the commensal bacterium Lactobacillus crispatus. These findings suggest that ClyX-2 offers a targeted, low-toxicity approach to prevent and clear GBS colonization, with potential to reduce maternal carriage and interrupt neonatal transmission.