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Meidaninikjeh S, Mohammadi P, Elikaei A. A simplified method of bacteriophage preparation for transmission electron microscope. J Virol Methods 2024; 328:114951. [PMID: 38750823 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2024.114951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. Researchers use different methods to study the characteristics of bacteriophages. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) is considered the best method to analyze these characteristics. However, the quality of TEM micrographs is significantly influenced by the preparation methods used to prepare the bacteriophages sample. In this study, researchers compared two different methods for preparing the bacteriophage samples. In one method was used SM buffer, while in the other used deionized water. The results were analyzed by TEM and compared with each other. Additionally, the viability of bacteriophage in deionized water and SM buffer at 4°C was determined through plaque assay within 72 hours. TEM micrographs showed that the quality of bacteriophage sample prepared with deionized water is superior to those prepared with SM buffer. Furthermore, the titer of the bacteriophages did not show a significant reduction during 72 hours in both SM and deionized water. In conclusion, the results suggested that preparation method can significantly impact the quality of TEM micrographs. Using sterile deionized water for the preparation of bacteriophages is a simple way to improve the quality of TEM micrographs and it is advisable to send the samples to the laboratory within 72 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Meidaninikjeh
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Mohammadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ameneh Elikaei
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
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Bolsan AC, Sampaio GV, Rodrigues HC, Silva De Souza S, Edwiges T, Celant De Prá M, Gabiatti NC. Phage formulations and delivery strategies: Unleashing the potential against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Microbiol Res 2024; 282:127662. [PMID: 38447457 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial control promoted by bacteriophages (phages) is an attractive tool in the face of the antibiotic crisis triggered by the exacerbated use of these drugs. Despite the growing interest in using these viruses, some gaps still need answers, such as the protection and delivery of phages. Some limitation points involve the degradation of phage proteins by enzymes or inactivation in low-pH environments. In this review, a literature search using keywords related to the field of virus delivery formulations was done to understand the current scenario of using delivery techniques and phage formulations. A total of 2096 raw results were obtained, which resulted in 140 publications after refinement. These studies were analyzed for main application techniques and areas, keywords, and countries. Of the total, 57% of the publications occurred in the last five years, and the encapsulation technique was the most used among the articles analyzed. As excipient agents, lactose, trehalose, mannitol, PEG, and Leucine stand out. The development of phage formulations, protection approaches, their delivery routes, and the knowledge about the best application strategy enables the use of these organisms in several sectors. It can act as a powerful tool against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chiapetti Bolsan
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Sustentabilidade Ambiental Urbana (PPGSAU) - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR 81280-340, Brazil
| | - Gabrielli Vaz Sampaio
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Campeão Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia (PPGBIOTEC) - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Dois Vizinhos, PR 85660-000, Brazil
| | - Samara Silva De Souza
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia (PPGBIOTEC) - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Dois Vizinhos, PR 85660-000, Brazil
| | - Thiago Edwiges
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Sustentabilidade Ambiental Urbana (PPGSAU) - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR 81280-340, Brazil
| | - Marina Celant De Prá
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia (PPGBIOTEC) - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Dois Vizinhos, PR 85660-000, Brazil
| | - Naiana Cristine Gabiatti
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia (PPGBIOTEC) - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Dois Vizinhos, PR 85660-000, Brazil.
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Pirnay JP, Merabishvili M, De Vos D, Verbeken G. Bacteriophage Production in Compliance with Regulatory Requirements. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2734:89-115. [PMID: 38066364 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3523-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, we discuss production requirements for therapeutic bacteriophage preparations. We review the current regulatory expectancies and focus on pragmatic production processes, implementing relevant controls to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of the final products. The information disclosed in this chapter can also serve as a basis for discussions with competent authorities regarding the implementation of expedited bacteriophage product development and licensing pathways, taking into account some peculiarities of bacteriophages (as compared to conventional medicines), such as their specificity for, and co-evolution with, their bacterial hosts. To maximize the potential of bacteriophages as natural controllers of bacterial populations, the implemented regulatory frameworks and manufacturing processes should not only cater to defined bacteriophage products. But, they should also facilitate personalized approaches in which bacteriophages are selected ad hoc and even trained to target the patient's infecting bacterial strain(s), whether or not in combination with other antimicrobials such as antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Maia Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Daniel De Vos
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gilbert Verbeken
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
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Zhai X, Castro-Mejía JL, Gobbi A, Aslampaloglou A, Kot W, Nielsen DS, Deng L. The impact of storage buffer and storage conditions on fecal samples for bacteriophage infectivity and metavirome analyses. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:193. [PMID: 37635262 PMCID: PMC10463696 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01632-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an increasing interest in investigating the human gut virome for its influence on the gut bacterial community and its putative influence on the trajectory towards health or disease. Most gut virome studies are based on sequencing of stored fecal samples. However, relatively little is known about how conventional storage buffers and storage conditions affect the infectivity of bacteriophages and influence the downstream metavirome sequencing. RESULTS We demonstrate that the infectivity and genome recovery rate of different spiked bacteriophages (T4, c2 and Phi X174) are variable and highly dependent on storage buffers. Regardless of the storage temperature and timespan, all tested phages immediately lost 100% (DNA/RNA Shield) or more than 90% (StayRNA and RNAlater) of their infectivity. Generally, in SM buffer at 4 °C phage infectivity was preserved for up to 30 days and phage DNA integrity was maintained for up to 100 days. While in CANVAX, the most effective buffer, all spiked phage genomes were preserved for at least 100 days. Prolonged storage time (500 days) at - 80 °C impacted viral diversity differently in the different buffers. Samples stored in CANVAX or DNA/RNA Shield buffer had the least shifts in metavirome composition, after prolonged storage, but they yielded more contigs classified as "uncharacterised". Moreover, in contrast to the SM buffer, these storage buffers yielded a higher fraction of bacterial DNA in metavirome-sequencing libraries. We demonstrated that the latter was due to inactivation of the DNases employed to remove extra-cellular DNA during virome extraction. The latter could be partly avoided by employing additional washing steps prior to virome extraction. CONCLUSION Fecal sample storage buffers and storage conditions (time and temperature) strongly influence bacteriophage infectivity and viral composition as determined by plaque assay and metavirome sequencing. The choice of buffer had a larger effect than storage temperature and storage time on the quality of the viral sequences and analyses. Based on these results, we recommend storage of fecal virome samples at in SM buffer at 4 °C for the isolation of viruses and at - 80 °C for metagenomic applications if practically feasible (i.e., access to cold storage). For fecal samples stored in other buffers, samples should be cleared of these buffers before viral extraction and sequencing. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xichuan Zhai
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Josué L Castro-Mejía
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Alex Gobbi
- Section of Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Antonios Aslampaloglou
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Witold Kot
- Section of Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Dennis S Nielsen
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Ling Deng
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Mohammadi M, Saffari M, Siadat SD, Hejazi SH, Shayestehpour M, Motallebi M, Eidi M. Isolation, characterization, therapeutic potency, and genomic analysis of a novel bacteriophage vB_KshKPC-M against carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (CRKP) isolated from Ventilator-associated pneumoniae (VAP) infection of COVID-19 patients. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2023; 22:18. [PMID: 36829156 PMCID: PMC9955523 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-023-00567-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a significant clinical problem, given the lack of therapeutic options. The CRKP strains have emerged as an essential worldwide healthcare issue during the last 10 years. Global expansion of the CRKP has made it a significant public health hazard. We must consider to novel therapeutic techniques. Bacteriophages are potent restorative cases against infections with multiple drug-resistant bacteria. The Phages offer promising prospects for the treatment of CRKP infections. OBJECTIVE In this study, a novel K. pneumoniae phage vB_KshKPC-M was isolated, characterized, and sequenced, which was able to infect and lyse Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae host specifically. METHODS One hundred clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae were collected from patients with COVID-19 associated with ventilator-associated acute pneumonia hospitalized at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan, Iran, from 2020 to 2021. Initially, all samples were cultured, and bacterial isolates identified by conventional biochemical tests, and then the ureD gene was used by PCR to confirm the isolates. The Antibiotic susceptibility test in the disc diffusion method and Minimum inhibitory concentrations for Colistin was done and interpreted according to guidelines. Phenotypic and molecular methods determined the Carbapenem resistance of isolates. The blaKPC, blaNDM, and blaOXA-23 genes were amplified for this detection. Biofilm determination of CRKP isolates was performed using a quantitative microtiter plate (MTP) method. The phage was isolated from wastewater during the summer season at a specific position from Beheshti Hospital (Kashan, Iran). The sample was processed and purified against the bacterial host, a CRKP strain isolated from a patient suffering from COVID-19 pneumoniae and resistance to Colistin with high potency for biofilm production. This isolate is called Kp100. The separated phages were diluted and titration by the double overlay agar plaque assay. The separate Phage is concentrated with 10% PEG and stored at -80 °C until use. The phage host range was identified by the spot test method. The purified phage morphology was determined using a transmission electron microscope. The phage stability tests (pH and temperature) were analyzed. The effect of cationic ions on phage adsorption was evaluated. The optimal titer of bacteriophage was determined to reduce the concentration of the CRKP strain. One-step growth assays were performed to identify the purified phage burst's latent cycle and size. The SDS-PAGE was used for phage proteins analysis. Phage DNA was extracted by chloroform technique, and the whole genome of lytic phage was sequenced using Illumina HiSeq technology (Illumina, San Diego, CA). For quality assurance and preprocessing, such as trimming, Geneious Prime 2021.2.2 and Spades 3.9.0. The whole genome sequence of the lytic phage is linked to the GenBank database accession number. RASTtk-v1.073 was used to predict and annotate the ORFs. Prediction of ORF was performed using PHASTER software. ResFinder is used to assess the presence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in the genome. The tRNAs can-SE v2.0.6 is used to determine the presence of tRNA in the genome. Linear genome comparisons of phages and visualization of coding regions were performed using Easyfig 2.2.3 and Mauve 2.4.0. Phage lifestyles were predicted using the program PHACTS. Phylogenetic analysis and amino acid sequences of phage core proteins, such as the major capsid protein. Phylogenies were reconstructed using the Neighbor-Joining method with 1000 bootstrap repeat. HHpred software was used to predict depolymerase. In this study, GraphPad Prism version 9.1 was used for the statistical analysis. Student's t-test was used to compare the sets and the control sets, and the significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Phage vB_KshKPC-M is assigned to the Siphoviridae, order Caudovirales. It was identified as a linear double-stranded DNA phage of 54,378 bp with 50.08% G + C content, had a relatively broad host range (97.7%), a short latency of 20 min, and a high burst size of 260 PFU/cell, and was maintained stable at different pH (3-11) and temperature (45-65 °C). The vB_KshKPC-M genome contains 91 open-reading frames. No tRNA, antibiotic resistance, toxin, virulence-related genes, or lysogen-forming gene clusters were detected in the phage genome. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that phage vB_KshKPC-M has sequence similarity to the Klebsiella phages, phage 13 (NC_049844.1), phage Sushi (NC_028774.1), phage vB_KpnD_PeteCarol (OL539448.1) and phage PWKp14 (MZ634345.1). CONCLUSION The broad host range and antibacterial activity make it a promising candidate for future phage therapy applications. The isolated phage was able to lyse most of the antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates. Therefore, this phage can be used alone or as a phage mixture in future studies to control and inhibit respiratory infections caused by these bacteria, especially in treating respiratory infections caused by resistant strains in sick patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Mohammadi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Pezeshk Blvd, Qotbe Ravandi Blvd, Kashan, 8715973449 Iran
| | - Mahmood Saffari
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Pezeshk Blvd, Qotbe Ravandi Blvd, Kashan, 8715973449 Iran
| | - Seyed Davar Siadat
- Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Hejazi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Shayestehpour
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Pezeshk Blvd, Qotbe Ravandi Blvd, Kashan, 8715973449 Iran
| | - Mitra Motallebi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Pezeshk Blvd, Qotbe Ravandi Blvd, Kashan, 8715973449 Iran
| | - Milad Eidi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Xiao Y, Huang P, Huang Z, Yu K, Song Y, Guo N, Dai H, Jiang M, Xu Y, Wang D, Wei Q. Influencing factors on the preservation of lytic bacteriophage VP3. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Manufacturing Bacteriophages (Part 1 of 2): Cell Line Development, Upstream, and Downstream Considerations. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090934. [PMID: 34577634 PMCID: PMC8471501 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Within this first part of the two-part series on phage manufacturing, we will give an overview of the process leading to bacteriophages as a drug substance, before covering the formulation into a drug product in the second part. The principal goal is to provide the reader with a comprehensive framework of the challenges and opportunities that present themselves when developing manufacturing processes for bacteriophage-based products. We will examine cell line development for manufacture, upstream and downstream processes, while also covering the additional opportunities that engineered bacteriophages present.
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Manufacturing Bacteriophages (Part 2 of 2): Formulation, Analytics and Quality Control Considerations. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090895. [PMID: 34577595 PMCID: PMC8467454 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Within this second piece of the two-part series of phage manufacturing considerations, we are examining the creation of a drug product from a drug substance in the form of formulation, through to fill-finish. Formulation of a drug product, in the case of bacteriophage products, is often considered only after many choices have been made in the development and manufacture of a drug substance, increasing the final product development timeline and difficulty of achieving necessary performance parameters. As with the preceding review in this sequence, we aim to provide the reader with a framework to be able to consider pharmaceutical development choices for the formulation of a bacteriophage-based drug product. The intent is to sensitize and highlight the tradeoffs that are necessary in the development of a finished drug product, and to be able to take the entire spectrum of tradeoffs into account, starting with early-stage R&D efforts. Furthermore, we are arming the reader with an overview of historical and current analytical methods with a special emphasis on most relevant and most widely available methods. Bacteriophages pose some challenges that are related to but also separate from eukaryotic viruses. Last, but not least, we close this two-part series by briefly discussing quality control (QC) aspects of a bacteriophage-based product, taking into consideration the opportunities and challenges that engineered bacteriophages uniquely present and offer.
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Pirnay JP, Ferry T, Resch G. Recent progress towards the implementation of phage therapy in Western medicine. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 46:6325169. [PMID: 34289033 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Like the sword of Damocles, the threat of a post-antibiotic era is hanging over humanity's head. The scientific and medical community is thus reconsidering bacteriophage therapy (BT) as a partial but realistic solution for treatment of difficult to eradicate bacterial infections. Here, we summarize the latest developments in clinical BT applications, with a focus on developments in the following areas: i) pharmacology of bacteriophages of major clinical importance and their synergy with antibiotics; ii) production of therapeutic phages; and iii) clinical trials, case studies, and case reports in the field. We address regulatory concerns, which are of paramount importance insofar as they dictate the conduct of clinical trials, which are needed for broader BT application. The increasing amount of new available data confirm the particularities of BT as being innovative and highly personalized. The current circumstances suggest that the immediate future of BT may be advanced within the framework of national BT centers in collaboration with competent authorities, which are urged to adopt incisive initiatives originally launched by some national regulatory authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tristan Ferry
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.,CIRI - Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Grégory Resch
- Centre of Research and Innovation in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Duyvejonck H, Merabishvili M, Vaneechoutte M, de Soir S, Wright R, Friman VP, Verbeken G, De Vos D, Pirnay JP, Van Mechelen E, Vermeulen SJT. Evaluation of the Stability of Bacteriophages in Different Solutions Suitable for the Production of Magistral Preparations in Belgium. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050865. [PMID: 34066841 PMCID: PMC8151234 DOI: 10.3390/v13050865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In Belgium, the incorporation of phages into magistral preparations for human application has been permitted since 2018. The stability of such preparations is of high importance to guarantee quality and efficacy throughout treatments. We evaluated the ability to preserve infectivity of four different phages active against three different bacterial species in five different buffer and infusion solutions commonly used in medicine and biotechnological manufacturing processes, at two different concentrations (9 and 7 log pfu/mL), stored at 4 °C. DPBS without Ca2+ and Mg2+ was found to be the best option, compared to the other solutions. Suspensions with phage concentrations of 7 log pfu/mL were unsuited as their activity dropped below the effective therapeutic dose (6–9 log pfu/mL), even after one week of storage at 4 °C. Strong variability between phages was observed, with Acinetobacter baumannii phage Acibel004 being stable in four out of five different solutions. We also studied the long term storage of lyophilized staphylococcal phage ISP, and found that the titer could be preserved during a period of almost 8 years when sucrose and trehalose were used as stabilizers. After rehydration of the lyophilized ISP phage in saline, the phage solutions remained stable at 4 °C during a period of 126 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Duyvejonck
- Research Center Health & Water Technology, University College Ghent, Keramiekstraat 80, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (H.D.); (E.V.M.)
- Laboratory Bacteriology Research, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (M.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Maya Merabishvili
- Laboratory Bacteriology Research, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (M.M.); (M.V.)
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120 Brussel, Belgium; (S.d.S.); (G.V.); (D.D.V.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Mario Vaneechoutte
- Laboratory Bacteriology Research, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (M.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Steven de Soir
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120 Brussel, Belgium; (S.d.S.); (G.V.); (D.D.V.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Rosanna Wright
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK; (R.W.); (V.-P.F.)
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, University of Manchester, Dover Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Ville-Petri Friman
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK; (R.W.); (V.-P.F.)
| | - Gilbert Verbeken
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120 Brussel, Belgium; (S.d.S.); (G.V.); (D.D.V.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Daniel De Vos
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120 Brussel, Belgium; (S.d.S.); (G.V.); (D.D.V.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120 Brussel, Belgium; (S.d.S.); (G.V.); (D.D.V.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Els Van Mechelen
- Research Center Health & Water Technology, University College Ghent, Keramiekstraat 80, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (H.D.); (E.V.M.)
| | - Stefan J. T. Vermeulen
- Research Center Health & Water Technology, University College Ghent, Keramiekstraat 80, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (H.D.); (E.V.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-498-496-997
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11
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Formulations for Bacteriophage Therapy and the Potential Uses of Immobilization. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040359. [PMID: 33924739 PMCID: PMC8069877 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is becoming increasingly problematic in the treatment of bacterial diseases. This has led to bacteriophages receiving increased attention as an alternative form of treatment. Phages are effective at targeting and killing bacterial strains of interest and have yielded encouraging results when administered as part of a tailored treatment to severely ill patients as a last resort. Despite this, success in clinical trials has not always been as forthcoming, with several high-profile trials failing to demonstrate the efficacy of phage preparations in curing diseases of interest. Whilst this may be in part due to reasons surrounding poor phage selection and a lack of understanding of the underlying disease, there is growing consensus that future success in clinical trials will depend on effective delivery of phage therapeutics to the area of infection. This can be achieved using bacteriophage formulations instead of purely liquid preparations. Several encapsulation-based strategies can be applied to produce phage formulations and encouraging results have been observed with respect to efficacy as well as long term phage stability. Immobilization-based approaches have generally been neglected for the production of phage therapeutics but could also offer a viable alternative.
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Sae-Ueng U, Bhunchoth A, Phironrit N, Treetong A, Sapcharoenkun C, Chatchawankanphanich O, Leartsakulpanich U, Chitnumsub P. C22 podovirus infectivity is associated with intermediate stiffness. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12604. [PMID: 32724109 PMCID: PMC7387534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69409-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages have potential for use as biological control agents (biocontrols) of pathogenic bacteria, but their low stability is limiting for their utilization as biocontrols. Understanding of the conditions conducive to storage of phages in which infectivity is maintained over long periods will be useful for their application as biocontrols. We employed a nanomechanical approach to study how external environmental factors affect surface properties and infectivity of the podovirus C22 phage, a candidate for biocontrol of Ralstonia solanacearum, the agent of bacterial wilt in crops. We performed atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nano-indentation on the C22 phage in buffers with varying pH and ionic strength. The infectivity data from plaque assay in the same conditions revealed that an intermediate range of stiffness was associated with phage titer that remained consistently high, even after prolonged storage up to 182 days. The data are consistent with the model that C22 phage must adopt a metastable state for maximal infectivity, and external factors that alter the stiffness of the phage capsid lead to perturbation of this infective state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udom Sae-Ueng
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
| | - Anjana Bhunchoth
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Namthip Phironrit
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Alongkot Treetong
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Chaweewan Sapcharoenkun
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Orawan Chatchawankanphanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
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Jończyk-Matysiak E, Łodej N, Kula D, Owczarek B, Orwat F, Międzybrodzki R, Neuberg J, Bagińska N, Weber-Dąbrowska B, Górski A. Factors determining phage stability/activity: challenges in practical phage application. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2019; 17:583-606. [PMID: 31322022 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2019.1646126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Phages consist of nucleic acids and proteins that may lose their activity under different physico-chemical conditions. The production process of phage formulations may decrease phage infectivity. Ingredients present in the preparation may influence phage particles, although preparation and storage conditions may also cause variations in phage titer. Significant factors are the manner of phage application, the patient's immune system status, the type of medication being taken, and diet. Areas covered: We discuss factors determining phage activity and stability, which is relevant for the preparation and application of phage formulations with the highest therapeutic efficacy. Our article should be helpful for more insightful implementation of clinical trials, which could pave the way for successful phage therapy. Expert opinion: The number of naturally occurring phages is practically unlimited and phages vary in their susceptibility to external factors. Modern methods offer engineering techniques which should lead to enhanced precision in phage delivery and anti-bacterial activity. Recent data suggesting that phages may also be used in treating nonbacterial infections as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents add further weight to such studies. It may be anticipated that different phage activities could have varying susceptibility to factors determining their actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Norbert Łodej
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Dominika Kula
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Filip Orwat
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland.,b Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland.,c Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Joanna Neuberg
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Natalia Bagińska
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland.,c Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Andrzej Górski
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland.,b Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland.,c Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
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Potential Application of Bacteriophages in Enrichment Culture for Improved Prenatal Streptococcus agalactiae Screening. Viruses 2018; 10:v10100552. [PMID: 30308933 PMCID: PMC6213948 DOI: 10.3390/v10100552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertical transmission of Streptococcus agalactiae can cause neonatal infections. A culture test in the late stage of pregnancy is used to screen for the presence of maternal S. agalactiae for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. For the test, a vaginal–rectal sample is recommended to be enriched, followed by bacterial identification. In some cases, Enterococcus faecalis overgrows in the enrichment culture. Consequently, the identification test yields false-negative results. Bacteriophages (phages) can be used as antimicrobial materials. Here, we explored the feasibility of using phages to minimize false-negative results in an experimental setting. Phage mixture was prepared using three phages that specifically infect E. faecalis: phiEF24C, phiEF17H, and phiM1EF22. The mixture inhibited the growth of 86.7% (26/30) of vaginal E. faecalis strains. The simple coculture of E. faecalis and S. agalactiae was used as an experimental enrichment model. Phage mixture treatment led to suppression of E. faecalis growth and facilitation of S. agalactiae growth. In addition, testing several sets of S. agalactiae and E. faecalis strains, the treatment with phage mixture in the enrichment improved S. agalactiae detection on chromogenic agar. Our results suggest that the phage mixture can be usefully employed in the S. agalactiae culture test to increase test accuracy.
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Bacharouche J, Erdemli O, Rivet R, Doucouré B, Caillet C, Mutschler A, Lavalle P, Duval JFL, Gantzer C, Francius G. On the Infectivity of Bacteriophages in Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films: Inhibition or Preservation of Their Bacteriolytic Activity? ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:33545-33555. [PMID: 30192508 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b10424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in bacterial cells has motivated the scientific community to design new and efficient (bio)materials with targeted bacteriostatic and/or bactericide properties. In this work, a series of polyelectrolyte multilayer films differing in terms of polycation-polyanion combinations are constructed according to the layer-by-layer deposition method. Their capacities to host T4 and φx174 phage particles and maintain their infectivity and bacteriolytic activity are thoroughly examined. It is found that the macroscopic physicochemical properties of the films, which includes film thickness, swelling ratio, or mechanical stiffness (as derived by atomic force microscopy and spectroscopy measurements), do not predominantly control the selectivity of the films for hosting infective phages. Instead, it is evidenced that the intimate electrostatic interactions locally operational between the loaded phages and the polycationic and polyanionic PEM components may lead to phage activity reduction and preservation/enhancement, respectively. It is argued that the underlying mechanism involves the screening of the phage capsid receptors (operational in cell recognition/infection processes) because of the formation of either polymer-phage hetero-assemblies or polymer coating surrounding the bioactive phage surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalal Bacharouche
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
| | - Ozge Erdemli
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM Unité 1121 , 11 rue Humann , 67085 Strasbourg Cedex , France
- Université de Strasbourg , Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire , 8 rue Sainte Elisabeth , 67000 Strasbourg , France
| | - Romain Rivet
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
| | - Balla Doucouré
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
| | - Céline Caillet
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, UMR 7360 , 54501 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy , France
- CNRS, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, UMR 7360 , 54501 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy , France
| | - Angela Mutschler
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM Unité 1121 , 11 rue Humann , 67085 Strasbourg Cedex , France
- Université de Strasbourg , Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire , 8 rue Sainte Elisabeth , 67000 Strasbourg , France
| | - Philippe Lavalle
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM Unité 1121 , 11 rue Humann , 67085 Strasbourg Cedex , France
- Université de Strasbourg , Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire , 8 rue Sainte Elisabeth , 67000 Strasbourg , France
| | - Jérôme F L Duval
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, UMR 7360 , 54501 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy , France
- CNRS, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, UMR 7360 , 54501 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy , France
| | - Christophe Gantzer
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
| | - Grégory Francius
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 , Villers-lès-Nancy F-54600 , France
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