1
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Lei TY, Liao BB, Yang LR, Wang Y, Chen XB. Hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A global public health threat. Microbiol Res 2024; 288:127839. [PMID: 39141971 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127839] [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: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae can be categorized into three main patterns: the evolution of KL1/KL2-hvKp strains into CR-hvKp, the evolution of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKp) strains into hv-CRKp, and the acquisition of hybrid plasmids carrying carbapenem resistance and virulence genes by classical K. pneumoniae (cKp). These strains are characterized by multi-drug resistance, high virulence, and high infectivity. Currently, there are no effective methods for treating and surveillance this pathogen. In addition, the continuous horizontal transfer and clonal spread of these bacteria under the pressure of hospital antibiotics have led to the emergence of more drug-resistant strains. This review discusses the evolution and distribution characteristics of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, the mechanisms of carbapenem resistance and hypervirulence, risk factors for susceptibility, infection syndromes, treatment regimens, real-time surveillance and preventive control measures. It also outlines the resistance mechanisms of antimicrobial drugs used to treat this pathogen, providing insights for developing new drugs, combination therapies, and a "One Health" approach. Narrowing the scope of surveillance but intensifying implementation efforts is a viable solution. Monitoring of strains can be focused primarily on hospitals and urban wastewater treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yu Lei
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Bin-Bin Liao
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Liang-Rui Yang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Yunnan 671000, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Xu-Bing Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
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2
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Koncz M, Stirling T, Hadj Mehdi H, Méhi O, Eszenyi B, Asbóth A, Apjok G, Tóth Á, Orosz L, Vásárhelyi BM, Ari E, Daruka L, Polgár TF, Schneider G, Zalokh SA, Számel M, Fekete G, Bohár B, Nagy Varga K, Visnyovszki Á, Székely E, Licker MS, Izmendi O, Costache C, Gajic I, Lukovic B, Molnár S, Szőcs-Gazdi UO, Bozai C, Indreas M, Kristóf K, Van der Henst C, Breine A, Pál C, Papp B, Kintses B. Genomic surveillance as a scalable framework for precision phage therapy against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)01027-4. [PMID: 39332413 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
Phage therapy is gaining increasing interest in the fight against critically antibiotic-resistant nosocomial pathogens. However, the narrow host range of bacteriophages hampers the development of broadly effective phage therapeutics and demands precision approaches. Here, we combine large-scale phylogeographic analysis with high-throughput phage typing to guide the development of precision phage cocktails targeting carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, a top-priority pathogen. Our analysis reveals that a few strain types dominate infections in each world region, with their geographical distribution remaining stable within 6 years. As we demonstrate in Eastern Europe, this spatiotemporal distribution enables preemptive preparation of region-specific phage collections that target most local infections. Finally, we showcase the efficacy of phage cocktails against prevalent strain types using in vitro and animal infection models. Ultimately, genomic surveillance identifies patients benefiting from the same phages across geographical scales, thus providing a scalable framework for precision phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihály Koncz
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Translational Microbiology Research Group, Budapesti út 9, 6728 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Stirling
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Translational Microbiology Research Group, Budapesti út 9, 6728 Szeged, Hungary; Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Hiba Hadj Mehdi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Translational Microbiology Research Group, Budapesti út 9, 6728 Szeged, Hungary; Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Méhi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bálint Eszenyi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Asbóth
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Translational Microbiology Research Group, Budapesti út 9, 6728 Szeged, Hungary; Department of Genetics, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter stny. 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Apjok
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ákos Tóth
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Albert Flórián út 2-6, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Orosz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical School, Dom tér 10, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bálint Márk Vásárhelyi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Eszter Ari
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; Department of Genetics, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter stny. 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Metabolic Systems Biology Group, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Lejla Daruka
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Ferenc Polgár
- Institute of Biophysics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; Theoretical Medicine Doctoral School, University of Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - György Schneider
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Sif Aldin Zalokh
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mónika Számel
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gergely Fekete
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Metabolic Systems Biology Group, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Balázs Bohár
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, 10th Floor Commonwealth Building Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Karolina Nagy Varga
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ádám Visnyovszki
- South-Pest Central Hospital National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, Nagyvárad tér 1, 1097 Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, University of Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit Székely
- George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Str. Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures, Str. Dr. Gh. Marinescu 50, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Monica-Sorina Licker
- Microbiology Department, Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; Microbiology Laboratory, "Pius Branzeu" Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Str. Liviu Rebreanu 156, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Oana Izmendi
- Microbiology Department, Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; Microbiology Laboratory, "Pius Branzeu" Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Str. Liviu Rebreanu 156, 300723 Timisoara, Romania; Doctoral School, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Costache
- Department of Microbiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu" Cluj-Napoca, Str. Victor Babes 8, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ina Gajic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Lukovic
- Academy of Applied Studies Belgrade, College of Health Sciences, Bulevar Zorana Djindjica 152a, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Szabolcs Molnár
- Emergency County Hospital Miercurea-Ciuc, Str. Doctor Dénes László 2, 530173 Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
| | | | - Csilla Bozai
- County Emergency Hospital Satu Mare, Str. Ravensburg 1-3, 440192 Satu Mare, Romania
| | - Marina Indreas
- Bacau County Emergency Hospital, Str. Haret Spiru 2-4, 600114 Bacau, Romania
| | - Katalin Kristóf
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 78/b, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Charles Van der Henst
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Pleinlaan 2, Building E-3, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, Elsene, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anke Breine
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Pleinlaan 2, Building E-3, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, Elsene, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Csaba Pál
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Balázs Papp
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Metabolic Systems Biology Group, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; National Laboratory for Health Security, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Bálint Kintses
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, National Laboratory of Biotechnology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; HCEMM-BRC Translational Microbiology Research Group, Budapesti út 9, 6728 Szeged, Hungary.
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3
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Zhao M, Li H, Gan D, Wang M, Deng H, Yang QE. Antibacterial effect of phage cocktails and phage-antibiotic synergy against pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae. mSystems 2024; 9:e0060724. [PMID: 39166877 PMCID: PMC11406915 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00607-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The global rise of antibiotic resistance has renewed interest in phage therapy, as an alternative to antibiotics to eliminate multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. However, optimizing the broad-spectrum efficacy of phage therapy remains a challenge. In this study, we addressed this issue by employing strategies to improve antimicrobial efficacy of phage therapy against MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, which are notorious for their resistance to conventional antibiotics. This includes the selection of broad host range phages, optimization of phage formulation, and combinations with last-resort antibiotics. Our findings unveil that having a broad host range was a dominant trait of isolated phages, and increasing phage numbers in combination with antibiotics significantly enhanced the suppression of bacterial growth. The decreased incidence of bacterial infection was explained by a reduction in pathogen density and emergence of bacterial resistance. Furthermore, phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS) demonstrated considerable broad-spectrum antibacterial potential against different clades of clinical MDR K. pneumoniae pathogens. The improved treatment outcomes of optimized PAS were also evident in a murine model, where mice receiving optimized PAS therapy demonstrated a reduced bacterial burden in mouse tissues. Taken together, these findings offer an important development in optimizing PAS therapy and its efficacy in the elimination of MDR K. pneumoniae pathogens. IMPORTANCE The worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has posed a great challenge to global public health. Phage therapy has become a promising alternative against difficult-to-treat pathogens. One important goal of this study was to optimize the therapeutic efficiency of phage-antibiotic combinations, known as phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS). Through comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of a large number of CRKp-specific phages, we developed a systematic model for phage cocktail combinations. Crucially, our finding demonstrated that PAS treatments not only enhance the bactericidal effects of colistin and tigecycline against multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae strains in in vitro and in vivo context but also provide a robust response when antibiotics fail. Overall, the optimized PAS therapy demonstrates considerable potential in combating diverse K. pneumoniae pathogens, highlighting its relevance as a strategy to mitigate antibiotic resistance threats effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Zhao
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongru Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengli Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou University affiliated Provincial Hospital,, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dehao Gan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Mengzhu Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiu E Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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4
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Siopi M, Skliros D, Paranos P, Koumasi N, Flemetakis E, Pournaras S, Meletiadis J. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of bacteriophage therapy: a review with a focus on multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0004424. [PMID: 39072666 PMCID: PMC11391690 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00044-24] [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: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYDespite the early recognition of their therapeutic potential and the current escalation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, the adoption of bacteriophages into mainstream clinical practice is hindered by unfamiliarity with their basic pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties, among others. Given the self-replicative nature of bacteriophages in the presence of host bacteria, the adsorption rate, and the clearance by the host's immunity, their PK/PD characteristics cannot be estimated by conventional approaches, and thus, the introduction of new considerations is required. Furthermore, the multitude of different bacteriophage types, preparations, and treatment schedules impedes drawing general conclusions on their in vivo PK/PD features. Additionally, the drawback of acquired bacteriophage resistance of MDR pathogens with clinical and environmental implications should be taken into consideration. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of the field of PK and PD of bacteriophage therapy with a focus on its application against MDR Gram-negative infections, highlighting the potential knowledge gaps and the challenges in translation from the bench to the bedside. After reviewing the in vitro PKs and PDs of bacteriophages against the four major MDR Gram-negative pathogens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii complex, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, specific data on in vivo PKs (tissue distribution, route of administration, and basic PK parameters in animals and humans) and PDs (survival and reduction of bacterial burden in relation to the route of administration, timing of therapy, dosing regimens, and resistance) are summarized. Currently available data merit close scrutiny, and optimization of bacteriophage therapy in the context of a better understanding of the underlying PK/PD principles is urgent to improve its therapeutic effect and to minimize the occurrence of bacteriophage resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Siopi
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Skliros
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalis Paranos
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikoletta Koumasi
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Flemetakis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Pournaras
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Joseph Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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5
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Osterman I, Sorek R. Phage genome engineering with retrons. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02392-z. [PMID: 39251885 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02392-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Osterman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rotem Sorek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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6
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Natarajan SP, Teh SH, Lin LC, Lin NT. In Vitro and In Vivo Assessments of Newly Isolated N4-like Bacteriophage against ST45 K62 Capsular-Type Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: vB_kpnP_KPYAP-1. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9595. [PMID: 39273543 PMCID: PMC11395603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The rise of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) presents a significant global challenge in clinical and healthcare settings, severely limiting treatment options. This study aimed to utilize a bacteriophage as an alternative therapy against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. A novel lytic N4-like Klebsiella phage, vB_kpnP_KPYAP-1 (KPYAP-1), was isolated from sewage. It demonstrated efficacy against the K62 serotype polysaccharide capsule of blaOXA-48-producing K. pneumoniae. KPYAP-1 forms small, clear plaques, has a latent period of 20 min, and reaches a growth plateau at 35 min, with a burst size of 473 plaque-forming units (PFUs) per infected cell. Phylogenetic analysis places KPYAP-1 in the Schitoviridae family, Enquatrovirinae subfamily, and Kaypoctavirus genus. KPYAP-1 employs an N4-like direct terminal repeat mechanism for genome packaging and encodes a large virion-encapsulated RNA polymerase. It lacks integrase or repressor genes, antibiotic resistance genes, bacterial virulence factors, and toxins, ensuring its safety for therapeutic use. Comparative genome analysis revealed that the KPYAP-1 genome is most similar to the KP8 genome, yet differs in tail fiber protein, indicating variations in host recognition. In a zebrafish infection model, KPYAP-1 significantly improved the survival rate of infected fish by 92% at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10, demonstrating its potential for in vivo treatment. These results highlight KPYAP-1 as a promising candidate for developing phage-based therapies targeting carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmuga Priya Natarajan
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, No. 701, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Soon-Hian Teh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, No. 707, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Chun Lin
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, No. 701, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Nien-Tsung Lin
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, No. 701, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien 97004, Taiwan
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7
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Bessems L, Chen B, Uyttebroek S, Devolder D, Lood C, Verwimp S, De Munter P, Debaveye Y, Depypere M, Spriet I, Van Gerven L, Dupont L, Wagemans J, van Noort V, Lavigne R, Metsemakers WJ, Onsea J. Optimization of bacteriophage therapy for difficult-to-treat musculoskeletal infections: a bench-to-bedside perspective. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1434397. [PMID: 39290977 PMCID: PMC11405300 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1434397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, scientists are urgently seeking adjunct antimicrobial strategies, such as phage therapy (PT). However, despite promising results for the treatment of musculoskeletal infections in our center, crucial knowledge gaps remain. Therefore, a prospective observational study (PHAGEFORCE) and a multidisciplinary approach was set up to achieve and optimize standardized treatment guidelines. At our center, PT is strictly controlled and monitored by a multidisciplinary taskforce. Each phage treatment follows the same pathway to ensure standardization and data quality. Within the PHAGEFORCE framework, we established a testing platform to gain insight in the safety and efficacy of PT, biodistribution, phage kinetics and the molecular interaction between phages and bacteria. The draining fluid is collected to determine the phage titer and bacterial load. In addition, all bacterial isolates are fully characterized by genome sequencing to monitor the emergence of phage resistance. We hereby present a standardized bench-to-bedside protocol to gain more insight in the kinetics and dynamics of PT for musculoskeletal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bessems
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Baixing Chen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Saartje Uyttebroek
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Devolder
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cédric Lood
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefaan Verwimp
- Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul De Munter
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yves Debaveye
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Melissa Depypere
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Van Gerven
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Dupont
- Department of Pneumology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vera van Noort
- Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Willem-Jan Metsemakers
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jolien Onsea
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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Zou P, Chen Z, Tu J, Chen X, Liu X. Comparison of Mutant Prevention Concentrations of Fluoroquinolones Against ESBL-Positive and ESBL-Negative Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Orthopedic Patients. Microb Drug Resist 2024; 30:391-397. [PMID: 39019029 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2024.0023] [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: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The majority of Klebsiella pneumonia isolates possess the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes. Therefore, K. pneumoniae can easily develop drug resistance. How to effectively overcome the problem of drug resistance in K. pneumoniae is still a research hotspot. This study aimed to compare the mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of ESBL-positive and ESBL-negative K. pneumoniae isolated from orthopedic patients, which may provide a basis for the effective use of drugs to control the enrichment of resistance mutants of K. pneumoniae. The MPC90 values of 55 isolates of ESBL-positive K. pneumoniae against 4 fluoroquinolones were 32 µg/mL for levofloxacin and gatifloxacin, 16 µg/mL for ciprofloxacin, and 4 µg/mL for gemifloxacin. The selection index value was 8 for levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin and 2 for gemifloxacin and gatifloxacin, respectively. For ESBL-negative K. pneumoniae isolates, the MPC90 values were 16 µg/mL for levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, 4 µg/mL for gemifloxacin, and 32 µg/mL for gatifloxacin. The selection index value was 8 for levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, 2 for gemifloxacin, and 4 for gatifloxacin. For the ESBL-positive K. pneumoniae, the %T>MIC90 order was gemifloxacin > levofloxacin > ciprofloxacin > gatifloxacin. For the ESBL-negative K. pneumoniae, the %T>MIC90 order was levofloxacin > gemifloxacin > ciprofloxacin > gatifloxacin. The mutant-preventing ability of gatifloxacin and gemifloxacin was the strongest among the 4 fluoroquinolones. So gemifloxacin may be the first choice of drug to treat K. pneumoniae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zou
- The Department of Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhiquan Chen
- The Department of Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jijun Tu
- The Department of Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- The Department of Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xuejian Liu
- The Department of Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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Chen B, Ponce Benavente L, Chittò M, Post V, Constant C, Zeiter S, Nylund P, D'Este M, González Moreno M, Trampuz A, Wagemans J, Lavigne R, Onsea J, Richards RG, Metsemakers WJ, Moriarty TF. Combination of bacteriophages and vancomycin in a co-delivery hydrogel for localized treatment of fracture-related infections. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2024; 10:77. [PMID: 39209878 PMCID: PMC11362333 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00552-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Fracture-related infections (FRIs), particularly those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are challenging to treat. This study designed and evaluated a hydrogel loaded with a cocktail of bacteriophages and vancomycin (1.2 mg/mL). The co-delivery hydrogel showed 99.72% reduction in MRSA biofilm in vitro. The hydrogel released 54% of phages and 82% of vancomycin within 72 h and maintained activity for eight days, in vivo the co-delivery hydrogel with systemic antibiotic significantly reduced bacterial load by 0.99 log10 CFU compared to controls, with active phages detected in tissues at euthanasia (2 × 103 PFU/mL). No phage resistance was detected in the phage treatment groups, and serum neutralization resulted in only a 20% reduction in phage count. In this work, we show that a phage-antibiotic co-delivery system via CMC hydrogel is a promising adjunct to systemic antibiotic therapy for MRSA-induced FRI, highlighting its potential for localized, sustained delivery and improved treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baixing Chen
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Luis Ponce Benavente
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mercedes González Moreno
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrej Trampuz
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jolien Onsea
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Willem-Jan Metsemakers
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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10
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Gholizadeh O, Ghaleh HEG, Tat M, Ranjbar R, Dorostkar R. The potential use of bacteriophages as antibacterial agents against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Virol J 2024; 21:191. [PMID: 39160541 PMCID: PMC11334591 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02450-7] [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: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the most common bacteria that cause nosocomial infections is Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae), especially in patients who are very sick and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The frequency of multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDRKP) has dramatically increased worldwide in recent decades, posing an urgent threat to public health. The Western world's bacteriophage (phage) studies have been revitalized due to the increasing reports of antimicrobial resistance and the restricted development and discovery of new antibiotics. These factors have also spurred innovation in other scientific domains. The primary agent in phage treatment is an obligately lytic organism (called bacteriophage) that kills the corresponding bacterial host while sparing human cells and lessening the broader effects of antibiotic usage on commensal bacteria. Phage treatment is developing quickly, leading to many clinical studies and instances of life-saving medicinal use. In addition, phage treatment has a few immunological adverse effects and consequences in addition to its usefulness. Since K. pneumoniae antibiotic resistance has made treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections challenging, phage therapy (PT) has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy. The effectiveness of phages has also been investigated in K. pneumoniae biofilms and animal infection models. Compared with antibiotics, PT exhibits numerous advantages, including a particular lysis spectrum, co-evolution with bacteria to avoid the emergence of phage resistance, and a higher abundance and diversity of phage resources than found in antibiotics. Moreover, phages are eliminated in the absence of a host bacterium, which makes them the only therapeutic agent that self-regulates at the sites of infection. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the role of PT in treating these infections. This study summarizes the state of knowledge on Klebsiella spp. phages and provides an outlook on the development of phage-based treatments that target K. pneumoniae in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Gholizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh
- Applied Virology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Tat
- Applied Virology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ranjbar
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ruhollah Dorostkar
- Applied Virology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Peng J, Guo C, Yang C, Zhang L, Yang F, Huang X, Yu Y, Zhang T, Peng J. Phage therapy for bone and joint infections: A comprehensive exploration of challenges, dynamics, and therapeutic prospects. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2024; 39:12-21. [PMID: 39168373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Bone and joint infections (BJI) pose formidable challenges in orthopaedics due to antibiotic resistance and the complexities of biofilm, complicating treatment. This comprehensive exploration addresses the intricate challenges posed by BJI and highlights the significant role of phage therapy as a non-antibiotic strategy. METHODS BJI, which encompass prosthetic joint infections, osteomyelitis, and purulent arthritis, are exacerbated by biofilm formation on bone and implant surfaces, hindering treatment efficacy. Gram-negative bacterial infections, characterized by elevated antibiotic resistance, further contribute to the clinical challenge. Amidst this therapeutic challenge, phage therapy emerges as a potential strategy, showing unique characteristics such as strict host specificity and biofilm disruption capabilities. RESULTS The review unveils the dynamics of phages, including their origins, lifecycle outcomes, and genomic characteristics. Animal studies, in vitro investigations, and clinical research provide compelling evidence of the efficacy of phages in treating Staphylococcus aureus infections, particularly in osteomyelitis cases. Phage lysins exhibit biofilm-disrupting capabilities, offering a meaningful method for addressing BJI. Recent statistical analyses reveal high clinical relief rates and a favourable safety profile for phage therapy. CONCLUSIONS Despite its promise, phage therapy encounters limitations, including a narrow host range and potential immunogenicity. The comprehensive analysis navigates these challenges and charts the future of phage therapy, emphasizing standardization, pharmacokinetics, and global collaboration. Anticipated strides in phage engineering and combination therapy hold promise for combating antibiotic-resistant BJI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaze Peng
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China
| | - Caopei Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China
| | - Chengbing Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China
| | - Fuyin Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China
| | - Xianpeng Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jiachen Peng
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China; Joint Orthopaedic Research Center of Zunyi Medical University & University of Rochester Medical Center, Zunyi, China; Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine, Zunyi, China.
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Wortelboer K, Herrema H. Opportunities and challenges in phage therapy for cardiometabolic diseases. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2024; 35:687-696. [PMID: 38637223 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) is increasing, and emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in this multifactorial disease development. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that selectively target a bacterial host; thus, phage therapy offers a precise means of modulating the gut microbiota, limiting collateral damage on the ecosystem. Several studies demonstrate the potential of phages in human disease, including alcoholic and steatotic liver disease. In this opinion article we discuss the potential of phage therapy as a predefined medicinal product for CMD and discuss its current challenges, including the generation of effective phage combinations, product formulation, and strict manufacturing requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Wortelboer
- Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde Herrema
- Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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13
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Cocorullo M, Stelitano G, Chiarelli LR. Phage Therapy: An Alternative Approach to Combating Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections in Cystic Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8321. [PMID: 39125890 PMCID: PMC11313351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are prone to developing life-threatening lung infections with a variety of pathogens that are difficult to eradicate, such as Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), Hemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. These infections still remain an important issue, despite the therapy for CF having considerably improved in recent years. Moreover, prolonged exposure to antibiotics in combination favors the development and spread of multi-resistant bacteria; thus, the development of alternative strategies is crucial to counter antimicrobial resistance. In this context, phage therapy, i.e., the use of phages, viruses that specifically infect bacteria, has become a promising strategy. In this review, we aim to address the current status of phage therapy in the management of multidrug-resistant infections, from compassionate use cases to ongoing clinical trials, as well as the challenges this approach presents in the particular context of CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laurent Robert Chiarelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Via A. Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.); (G.S.)
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14
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Pal N, Sharma P, Kumawat M, Singh S, Verma V, Tiwari RR, Sarma DK, Nagpal R, Kumar M. Phage therapy: an alternative treatment modality for MDR bacterial infections. Infect Dis (Lond) 2024:1-33. [PMID: 39017931 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2024.2379492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing global incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections threatens public health and compromises various aspects of modern medicine. Recognising the urgency of this issue, the World Health Organisation has prioritised the development of novel antimicrobials to combat ESKAPEE pathogens. Comprising Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli, such pathogens represent a spectrum of high to critical drug resistance, accounting for a significant proportion of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. In response to the waning efficacy of antibiotics against these resilient pathogens, phage therapy (PT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. This review provides a comprehensive summary of clinical research on PT and explores the translational journey of phages from laboratory settings to clinical applications. It examines recent advancements in pre-clinical and clinical developments, highlighting the potential of phages and their proteins, alone or in combination with antibiotics. Furthermore, this review underlines the importance of establishing safe and approved routes of phage administration to patients. In conclusion, the evolving landscape of phage therapy offers a beacon of hope in the fight against MDR bacterial infections, emphasising the imperative for continued research, innovation and regulatory diligence to realise its full potential in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Pal
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Department of Microbiology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Poonam Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Manoj Kumawat
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Samradhi Singh
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Vinod Verma
- Stem Cell Research Centre, Department of Hematology, Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rajnarayan R Tiwari
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Devojit Kumar Sarma
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Ravinder Nagpal
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
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15
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Niu H, Gu J, Zhang Y. Bacterial persisters: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic development. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:174. [PMID: 39013893 PMCID: PMC11252167 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01866-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Persisters refer to genetically drug susceptible quiescent (non-growing or slow growing) bacteria that survive in stress environments such as antibiotic exposure, acidic and starvation conditions. These cells can regrow after stress removal and remain susceptible to the same stress. Persisters are underlying the problems of treating chronic and persistent infections and relapse infections after treatment, drug resistance development, and biofilm infections, and pose significant challenges for effective treatments. Understanding the characteristics and the exact mechanisms of persister formation, especially the key molecules that affect the formation and survival of the persisters is critical to more effective treatment of chronic and persistent infections. Currently, genes related to persister formation and survival are being discovered and confirmed, but the mechanisms by which bacteria form persisters are very complex, and there are still many unanswered questions. This article comprehensively summarizes the historical background of bacterial persisters, details their complex characteristics and their relationship with antibiotic tolerant and resistant bacteria, systematically elucidates the interplay between various bacterial biological processes and the formation of persister cells, as well as consolidates the diverse anti-persister compounds and treatments. We hope to provide theoretical background for in-depth research on mechanisms of persisters and suggest new ideas for choosing strategies for more effective treatment of persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Niu
- School of Basic Medical Science and Key Laboratory of Blood-stasis-toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaying Gu
- School of Basic Medical Science and Key Laboratory of Blood-stasis-toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250022, Shandong, China.
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16
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Ponce Benavente L, Wagemans J, Hinkel D, Aguerri Lajusticia A, Lavigne R, Trampuz A, Gonzalez Moreno M. Targeted enhancement of bacteriophage activity against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms through an evolutionary assay. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1372325. [PMID: 39040906 PMCID: PMC11260789 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1372325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus´ biofilm-forming ability and rapid resistance development pose a significant challenge to successful treatment, particularly in postoperative complications, emphasizing the need for enhanced therapeutic strategies. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has reemerged as a promising and safe option to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, questions regarding the efficacy of phages against biofilms and the development of phage resistance require further evaluation. Expanding on the adaptable and evolutionary characteristics of phages, we introduce an evolutionary approach to enhance the activity of S. aureus phages against biofilms. Unlike other in vitro directed evolution methods performed in planktonic cultures, we employed pre-stablished biofilms to do a serial-passage assay to evolve phages monitored by real-time isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC). The evolved phages demonstrated an expanded host range, with the CUB_MRSA-COL_R9 phage infecting 83% of strains in the collection (n = 72), surpassing the ISP phage, which represented the widest host range (44%) among the ancestral phages. In terms of antimicrobial efficacy, IMC data revealed superior suppression of bacterial growth by the evolved phages compared to the ancestral CUB-M and/or ISP phages against the respective bacterial strain. The phage cocktail exhibited higher efficacy, achieving over 90% suppression relative to the growth control even after 72 h of monitoring. Biofilm cell-counts, determined by RT-qPCR, confirmed the enhanced antibiofilm performance of evolved phages with no biofilm regrowth up to 48 h in treated MRSA15 and MRSA-COL strains. Overall, our results underscore the potential of biofilm-adapted phage cocktails to improve clinical outcomes in biofilm-associated infections, minimizing the emergence of resistance and lowering the risk of infection relapse. However, further investigation is necessary to evaluate the translatability of our results from in vitro to in vivo models, especially in the context of combination therapy with the current standard of care treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Ponce Benavente
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Dennis Hinkel
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alba Aguerri Lajusticia
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrej Trampuz
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mercedes Gonzalez Moreno
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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17
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Kovacs CJ, Antonacci A, Graham A, Jessup F, Rankin W, Brasko B, Maguire F, Washington MA, Kua SC, Burpo FJ, Barnhill JC. Comparing Methods to Genetically Engineer Bacteriophage and Increase Host Range. Mil Med 2024; 189:e1488-e1496. [PMID: 38780999 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antibacterial resistance is an emerging problem in military medicine. Disruptions to the health care systems in war-torn countries that result from ongoing conflict can potentially exacerbate this problem and increase the risk to U.S. forces in the deployed environment. Therefore, novel therapies are needed to mitigate the impact of these potentially devastating infections on military operations. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria. They can be delivered as therapeutic agents and offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic chemotherapy. There are several potential benefits to their use, including high specificity and comparative ease of use in the field setting. However, the process of engineering phages for military medical applications can be a laborious and time-consuming endeavor. This review examines available techniques and compares their efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This review evaluates the scientific literature on the development and application of four methods of bacteriophage genome engineering and their consideration in the context of military applications. Preffered Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for a systematic review of available literature that met criteria for analysis and inclusion. The research completed for this review article originated from the United States Military Academy's library "Scout" search engine, which compiles results from 254 available databases (including PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciFinder). Particular attention was focused on identifying useful mechanistic insight into the nature of the engineering technique, the ease of use, and the applicability of the technique to countering the problem of antimicrobial resistance in the military setting. RESULTS A total of 52 studies were identified that met inclusion criteria following PRISMA guidelines. The bioengineering techniques analyzed included homologous recombination (12 articles), in vivo recombineering (9 articles), bacteriophage recombineering of electroporated DNA (7 articles), and the CRISPR-Cas system (10 articles). Rates of success and fidelity varied across each platform, and comparative benefits and drawbacks are considered. CONCLUSIONS Each of the phage engineering techniques addressed herein varies in amount of effort and overall success rate. CRISPR-Cas-facilitated modification of phage genomes presents a highly efficient method that does not require a lengthy purification and screening process. It therefore appears to be the method best suited for military medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Kovacs
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, USA
| | - Alessia Antonacci
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - Abigail Graham
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - Faye Jessup
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - William Rankin
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - Brianna Brasko
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - Fiona Maguire
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - Michael A Washington
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA 30905, USA
| | - Siang C Kua
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA 30905, USA
| | - F John Burpo
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - Jason C Barnhill
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
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Van Nieuwenhuyse B, Merabishvili M, Goeders N, Vanneste K, Bogaerts B, de Jode M, Ravau J, Wagemans J, Belkhir L, Van der Linden D. Phage-Mediated Digestive Decolonization in a Gut-On-A-Chip Model: A Tale of Gut-Specific Bacterial Prosperity. Viruses 2024; 16:1047. [PMID: 39066209 PMCID: PMC11281504 DOI: 10.3390/v16071047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections due to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria have become a major threat to global health. Some patients may carry resistant bacteria in their gut microbiota. Specific risk factors may trigger the conversion of these carriages into infections in hospitalized patients. Preventively eradicating these carriages has been postulated as a promising preventive intervention. However, previous attempts at such eradication using oral antibiotics or probiotics have led to discouraging results. Phage therapy, the therapeutic use of bacteriophage viruses, might represent a worthy alternative in this context. Taking inspiration from this clinical challenge, we built Gut-On-A-Chip (GOAC) models, which are tridimensional cell culture models mimicking a simplified gut section. These were used to better understand bacterial dynamics under phage pressure using two relevant species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Model mucus secretion was documented by ELISA assays. Bacterial dynamics assays were performed in GOAC triplicates monitored for 72 h under numerous conditions, such as pre-, per-, or post-bacterial timing of phage introduction, punctual versus continuous phage administration, and phage expression of mucus-binding properties. The potential genomic basis of bacterial phage resistance acquired in the model was investigated by variant sequencing. The bacterial "escape growth" rates under phage pressure were compared to static in vitro conditions. Our results suggest that there is specific bacterial prosperity in this model compared to other in vitro conditions. In E. coli assays, the introduction of a phage harboring unique mucus-binding properties could not shift this balance of power, contradicting previous findings in an in vivo mouse model and highlighting the key differences between these models. Genomic modifications were correlated with bacterial phage resistance acquisition in some but not all instances, suggesting that alternate ways are needed to evade phage predation, which warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brieuc Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Pediatric Department (IREC/PEDI), Université Catholique de Louvain—UCLouvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maya Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Goeders
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium (B.B.)
| | - Kevin Vanneste
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium (B.B.)
| | - Bert Bogaerts
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium (B.B.)
| | - Mathieu de Jode
- Bacterial Diseases, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joachim Ravau
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Pediatric Department (IREC/PEDI), Université Catholique de Louvain—UCLouvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Leïla Belkhir
- Division of Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain—UCLouvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Louvain Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC/LTAP), Université Catholique de Louvain—UCLouvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Van der Linden
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Pediatric Department (IREC/PEDI), Université Catholique de Louvain—UCLouvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, General Pediatrics Department, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain—UCLouvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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19
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Lewis JM, Williams J, Sagona AP. Making the leap from technique to treatment - genetic engineering is paving the way for more efficient phage therapy. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1373-1384. [PMID: 38716972 PMCID: PMC11346441 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231289] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses specific to bacteria that target them with great efficiency and specificity. Phages were first studied for their antibacterial potential in the early twentieth century; however, their use was largely eclipsed by the popularity of antibiotics. Given the surge of antimicrobial-resistant strains worldwide, there has been a renaissance in harnessing phages as therapeutics once more. One of the key advantages of phages is their amenability to modification, allowing the generation of numerous derivatives optimised for specific functions depending on the modification. These enhanced derivatives could display higher infectivity, expanded host range or greater affinity to human tissues, where some bacterial species exert their pathogenesis. Despite this, there has been a noticeable discrepancy between the generation of derivatives in vitro and their clinical application in vivo. In most instances, phage therapy is only used on a compassionate-use basis, where all other treatment options have been exhausted. A lack of clinical trials and numerous regulatory hurdles hamper the progress of phage therapy and in turn, the engineered variants, in becoming widely used in the clinic. In this review, we outline the various types of modifications enacted upon phages and how these modifications contribute to their enhanced bactericidal function compared with wild-type phages. We also discuss the nascent progress of genetically modified phages in clinical trials along with the current issues these are confronted with, to validate it as a therapy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua Williams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, U.K
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20
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Verheul M, Mulder AA, van Dun SCJ, Merabishvili M, Nelissen RGHH, de Boer MGJ, Pijls BG, Nibbering PH. Bacteriophage ISP eliminates Staphylococcus aureus in planktonic phase, but not in the various stages of the biofilm cycle. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14374. [PMID: 38909125 PMCID: PMC11193821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Metal-implant associated bacterial infections are a major clinical problem due to antibiotic treatment failure. As an alternative, we determined the effects of bacteriophage ISP on clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in various stages of its life cycle in relation to biofilm formation and maturation. ISP effectively eliminated all planktonic phase bacteria, whereas its efficacy was reduced against bacteria attached to the metal implant and bacteria embedded within biofilms. The biofilm architecture hampered the bactericidal effects of ISP, as mechanical disruption of biofilms improved the efficacy of ISP against the bacteria. Phages penetrated the biofilm and interacted with the bacteria throughout the biofilm. However, most of the biofilm-embedded bacteria were phage-tolerant. In agreement, bacteria dispersed from mature biofilms of all clinical isolates, except for LUH15394, tolerated the lytic activity of ISP. Lastly, persisters within mature biofilms tolerated ISP and proliferated in its presence. Based on these findings, we conclude that ISP eliminates planktonic phase Staphylococcus aureus while its efficacy is limited against bacteria attached to the metal implant, embedded within (persister-enriched) biofilms, and dispersed from biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariëlle Verheul
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Electron Microscopy Facility, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sven C J van Dun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maia Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rob G H H Nelissen
- Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G J de Boer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bart G Pijls
- Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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21
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Bozidis P, Markou E, Gouni A, Gartzonika K. Does Phage Therapy Need a Pan-Phage? Pathogens 2024; 13:522. [PMID: 38921819 PMCID: PMC11206709 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is undoubtedly one of the most serious global health threats. One response to this threat that has been gaining momentum over the past decade is 'phage therapy'. According to this, lytic bacteriophages are used for the treatment of bacterial infections, either alone or in combination with antimicrobial agents. However, to ensure the efficacy and broad applicability of phage therapy, several challenges must be overcome. These challenges encompass the development of methods and strategies for the host range manipulation and bypass of the resistance mechanisms developed by pathogenic bacteria, as has been the case since the advent of antibiotics. As our knowledge and understanding of the interactions between phages and their hosts evolves, the key issue is to define the host range for each application. In this article, we discuss the factors that affect host range and how this determines the classification of phages into different categories of action. For each host range group, recent representative examples are provided, together with suggestions on how the different groups can be used to combat certain types of bacterial infections. The available methodologies for host range expansion, either through sequential adaptation to a new pathogen or through genetic engineering techniques, are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Bozidis
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Eleftheria Markou
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Athanasia Gouni
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Konstantina Gartzonika
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
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22
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Kelly L, Jameson E. Bacteriophage cocktail shows no toxicity and improves the survival of Galleria mellonella infected with Klebsiella spp. J Virol 2024; 98:e0027224. [PMID: 38771043 PMCID: PMC11237459 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00272-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella spp. are causative agents of healthcare-associated infections in patients who are immunocompromised and use medical devices. The antibiotic resistance crisis has led to an increase in infections caused by these bacteria, which can develop into potentially life-threatening illnesses if not treated swiftly and effectively. Thus, new treatment options for Klebsiella are urgently required. Phage therapy can offer an alternative to ineffective antibiotic treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections. The aim of the present study was to produce a safe and effective phage cocktail treatment against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca, both in liquid in vitro culture and an in vivo Galleria mellonella infection model. The phage cocktail was significantly more effective at killing K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca strains compared with monophage treatments. Preliminary phage cocktail safety was demonstrated through application in the in vivo G. mellonella model: where the phage cocktail induced no toxic side effects in G. mellonella. In addition, the phage cocktail significantly improved the survival of G. mellonella when administered as a prophylactic treatment, compared with controls. In conclusion, our phage cocktail was demonstrated to be safe and effective against Klebsiella spp. in the G. mellonella infection model. This provides a strong case for future treatment for Klebsiella infections, either as an alternative or adjunct to antibiotics.IMPORTANCEKlebsiella infections are a concern in individuals who are immunocompromised and are becoming increasingly difficult to treat with antibiotics due to their drug-resistant properties. Bacteriophage is one potential alternative therapy that could be used to tackle these infections. The present study describes the design of a non-toxic phage cocktail that improved the survival of Galleria mellonella infected with Klebsiella. This phage cocktail demonstrates potential for the safe and effective treatment of Klebsiella infections, as an adjunct or alternative to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Kelly
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Jameson
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
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23
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Juliet R, Loganathan A, Neeravi A, Bakthavatchalam YD, Veeraraghavan B, Manohar P, Nachimuthu R. Characterization of Salmonella phage of the genus Kayfunavirus isolated from sewage infecting clinical strains of Salmonella enterica. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1391777. [PMID: 38887719 PMCID: PMC11180730 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1391777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multi-drug resistance in Salmonella, causing food-borne infections, is a significant issue. With over 2,600 serovars in in Salmonella sp., it is crucial to identify specific solutions for each serovar. Phage therapy serves as an alternate treatment option. In this study, vB_SalP_792 phage was obtained from sewage, forming plaques in eight out of 13 tested clinical S. enterica isolates. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination revealed a T7-like morphotype. The phage was characterized by its stability, life cycle, antibiofilm, and lytic ability in food sources. The phage remains stable throughout a range of temperatures (-20 to 70°C), pH levels (3-11), and in chloroform and ether. It also exhibited lytic activity within a range of MOIs from 0.0001 to 100. The life cycle revealed that 95% of the phages attached to their host within 3 min, followed by a 5-min latent period, resulting in a 50 PFU/cell burst size. The vB_SalP_792 phage genome has a dsDNA with a length of 37,281 bp and a GC content of 51%. There are 42 coding sequences (CDS), with 24 having putative functions and no resistance or virulence-related genes. The vB_SalP_792 phage significantly reduced the bacterial load in the established biofilms and also in egg whites. Thus, vB_SalP_792 phage can serve as an effective biocontrol agent for preventing Salmonella infections in food, and its potent lytic activity against the clinical isolates of S. enterica, sets out vB_SalP_792 phage as a successful candidate for future in vivo studies and therapeutical application against drug-resistant Salmonella infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Juliet
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Archana Loganathan
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ayyanraj Neeravi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | | | - Prasanth Manohar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Ramesh Nachimuthu
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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24
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Herencias C, Álvaro-Llorente L, Ramiro-Martínez P, Fernández-Calvet A, Muñoz-Cazalla A, DelaFuente J, Graf FE, Jaraba-Soto L, Castillo-Polo JA, Cantón R, San Millán Á, Rodríguez-Beltrán J. β-lactamase expression induces collateral sensitivity in Escherichia coli. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4731. [PMID: 38830889 PMCID: PMC11148083 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49122-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Major antibiotic groups are losing effectiveness due to the uncontrollable spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Among these, β-lactam resistance genes -encoding β-lactamases- stand as the most common resistance mechanism in Enterobacterales due to their frequent association with mobile genetic elements. In this context, novel approaches that counter mobile AMR are urgently needed. Collateral sensitivity (CS) occurs when the acquisition of resistance to one antibiotic increases susceptibility to another antibiotic and can be exploited to eliminate AMR selectively. However, most CS networks described so far emerge as a consequence of chromosomal mutations and cannot be leveraged to tackle mobile AMR. Here, we dissect the CS response elicited by the acquisition of a prevalent antibiotic resistance plasmid to reveal that the expression of the β-lactamase gene blaOXA-48 induces CS to colistin and azithromycin. We next show that other clinically relevant mobile β-lactamases produce similar CS responses in multiple, phylogenetically unrelated E. coli strains. Finally, by combining experiments with surveillance data comprising thousands of antibiotic susceptibility tests, we show that β-lactamase-induced CS is pervasive within Enterobacterales. These results highlight that the physiological side-effects of β-lactamases can be leveraged therapeutically, paving the way for the rational design of specific therapies to block mobile AMR or at least counteract their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Herencias
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas-CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Laura Álvaro-Llorente
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Ramiro-Martínez
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ada Muñoz-Cazalla
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Fabrice E Graf
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Laura Jaraba-Soto
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Castillo-Polo
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Cantón
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas-CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro San Millán
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biológica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jerónimo Rodríguez-Beltrán
- Servicio de Microbiología, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas-CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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25
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Pirnay JP, Djebara S, Steurs G, Griselain J, Cochez C, De Soir S, Glonti T, Spiessens A, Vanden Berghe E, Green S, Wagemans J, Lood C, Schrevens E, Chanishvili N, Kutateladze M, de Jode M, Ceyssens PJ, Draye JP, Verbeken G, De Vos D, Rose T, Onsea J, Van Nieuwenhuyse B, Soentjens P, Lavigne R, Merabishvili M. Personalized bacteriophage therapy outcomes for 100 consecutive cases: a multicentre, multinational, retrospective observational study. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:1434-1453. [PMID: 38834776 PMCID: PMC11153159 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
In contrast to the many reports of successful real-world cases of personalized bacteriophage therapy (BT), randomized controlled trials of non-personalized bacteriophage products have not produced the expected results. Here we present the outcomes of a retrospective observational analysis of the first 100 consecutive cases of personalized BT of difficult-to-treat infections facilitated by a Belgian consortium in 35 hospitals, 29 cities and 12 countries during the period from 1 January 2008 to 30 April 2022. We assessed how often personalized BT produced a positive clinical outcome (general efficacy) and performed a regression analysis to identify functional relationships. The most common indications were lower respiratory tract, skin and soft tissue, and bone infections, and involved combinations of 26 bacteriophages and 6 defined bacteriophage cocktails, individually selected and sometimes pre-adapted to target the causative bacterial pathogens. Clinical improvement and eradication of the targeted bacteria were reported for 77.2% and 61.3% of infections, respectively. In our dataset of 100 cases, eradication was 70% less probable when no concomitant antibiotics were used (odds ratio = 0.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.127-0.749). In vivo selection of bacteriophage resistance and in vitro bacteriophage-antibiotic synergy were documented in 43.8% (7/16 patients) and 90% (9/10) of evaluated patients, respectively. We observed a combination of antibiotic re-sensitization and reduced virulence in bacteriophage-resistant bacterial isolates that emerged during BT. Bacteriophage immune neutralization was observed in 38.5% (5/13) of screened patients. Fifteen adverse events were reported, including seven non-serious adverse drug reactions suspected to be linked to BT. While our analysis is limited by the uncontrolled nature of these data, it indicates that BT can be effective in combination with antibiotics and can inform the design of future controlled clinical trials. BT100 study, ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05498363 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Non-traditional Antibacterial Therapy (ESGNTA), Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sarah Djebara
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Griet Steurs
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johann Griselain
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christel Cochez
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven De Soir
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tea Glonti
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - An Spiessens
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emily Vanden Berghe
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sabrina Green
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cédric Lood
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Nina Chanishvili
- Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Mzia Kutateladze
- Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | | | - Jean-Pierre Draye
- 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
| | - Daniel De Vos
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Rose
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jolien Onsea
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven; Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Brieuc Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Pediatric Department, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Soentjens
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maya Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
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26
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Boeckaerts D, Stock M, Ferriol-González C, Oteo-Iglesias J, Sanjuán R, Domingo-Calap P, De Baets B, Briers Y. Prediction of Klebsiella phage-host specificity at the strain level. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4355. [PMID: 38778023 PMCID: PMC11111740 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48675-6] [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] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Phages are increasingly considered promising alternatives to target drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. However, their often-narrow host range can make it challenging to find matching phages against bacteria of interest. Current computational tools do not accurately predict interactions at the strain level in a way that is relevant and properly evaluated for practical use. We present PhageHostLearn, a machine learning system that predicts strain-level interactions between receptor-binding proteins and bacterial receptors for Klebsiella phage-bacteria pairs. We evaluate this system both in silico and in the laboratory, in the clinically relevant setting of finding matching phages against bacterial strains. PhageHostLearn reaches a cross-validated ROC AUC of up to 81.8% in silico and maintains this performance in laboratory validation. Our approach provides a framework for developing and evaluating phage-host prediction methods that are useful in practice, which we believe to be a meaningful contribution to the machine-learning-guided development of phage therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Boeckaerts
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michiel Stock
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Celia Ferriol-González
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
| | - Jesús Oteo-Iglesias
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Resistencia a Antibióticos e Infecciones Relacionadas con la Asistencia Sanitaria, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Sanjuán
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
| | - Pilar Domingo-Calap
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
| | - Bernard De Baets
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yves Briers
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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27
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Greenrod STE, Cazares D, Johnson S, Hector TE, Stevens EJ, MacLean RC, King KC. Warming alters life-history traits and competition in a phage community. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0028624. [PMID: 38624196 PMCID: PMC11107170 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00286-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Host-parasite interactions are highly susceptible to changes in temperature due to mismatches in species thermal responses. In nature, parasites often exist in communities, and responses to temperature are expected to vary between host-parasite pairs. Temperature change thus has consequences for both host-parasite dynamics and parasite-parasite interactions. Here, we investigate the impact of warming (37°C, 40°C, and 42°C) on parasite life-history traits and competition using the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (host) and a panel of three genetically diverse lytic bacteriophages (parasites). We show that phages vary in their responses to temperature. While 37°C and 40°C did not have a major effect on phage infectivity, infection by two phages was restricted at 42°C. This outcome was attributed to disruption of different phage life-history traits including host attachment and replication inside hosts. Furthermore, we show that temperature mediates competition between phages by altering their competitiveness. These results highlight phage trait variation across thermal regimes with the potential to drive community dynamics. Our results have important implications for eukaryotic viromes and the design of phage cocktail therapies.IMPORTANCEMammalian hosts often elevate their body temperatures through fevers to restrict the growth of bacterial infections. However, the extent to which fever temperatures affect the communities of phages with the ability to parasitize those bacteria remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the impact of warming across a fever temperature range (37°C, 40°C, and 42°C) on phage life-history traits and competition using a bacterium (host) and bacteriophage (parasite) system. We show that phages vary in their responses to temperature due to disruption of different phage life-history traits. Furthermore, we show that temperature can alter phage competitiveness and shape phage-phage competition outcomes. These results suggest that fever temperatures have the potential to restrict phage infectivity and drive phage community dynamics. We discuss implications for the role of temperature in shaping host-parasite interactions more widely.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Cazares
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Johnson
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tobias E. Hector
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emily J. Stevens
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - R. Craig MacLean
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kayla C. King
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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28
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Naknaen A, Samernate T, Saeju P, Nonejuie P, Chaikeeratisak V. Nucleus-forming jumbophage PhiKZ therapeutically outcompetes non-nucleus-forming jumbophage Callisto. iScience 2024; 27:109790. [PMID: 38726363 PMCID: PMC11079468 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
With the recent resurgence of phage therapy in modern medicine, jumbophages are currently under the spotlight due to their numerous advantages as anti-infective agents. However, most significant discoveries to date have primarily focused on nucleus-forming jumbophages, not their non-nucleus-forming counterparts. In this study, we compare the biological characteristics exhibited by two genetically diverse jumbophages: 1) the well-studied nucleus-forming jumbophage, PhiKZ; and 2) the newly discovered non-nucleus-forming jumbophage, Callisto. Single-cell infection studies further show that Callisto possesses different replication machinery, resulting in a delay in phage maturation compared to that of PhiKZ. The therapeutic potency of both phages was examined in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that PhiKZ holds certain superior characteristics over Callisto. This research sheds light on the importance of the subcellular infection machinery and the organized progeny maturation process, which could potentially provide valuable insight in the future development of jumbophage-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ampapan Naknaen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanadon Samernate
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Panida Saeju
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poochit Nonejuie
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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29
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Porcari S, Fusco W, Spivak I, Fiorani M, Gasbarrini A, Elinav E, Cammarota G, Ianiro G. Fine-tuning the gut ecosystem: the current landscape and outlook of artificial microbiome therapeutics. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 9:460-475. [PMID: 38604200 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00357-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The gut microbiome is acknowledged as a key determinant of human health, and technological progress in the past two decades has enabled the deciphering of its composition and functions and its role in human disorders. Therefore, manipulation of the gut microbiome has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for communicable and non-communicable disorders. Full exploitation of current therapeutic microbiome modulators (including probiotics, prebiotics, and faecal microbiota transplantation) is hindered by several factors, including poor precision, regulatory and safety issues, and the impossibility of providing reproducible and targeted treatments. Artificial microbiota therapeutics (which include a wide range of products, such as microbiota consortia, bacteriophages, bacterial metabolites, and engineered probiotics) have appeared as an evolution of current microbiota modulators, as they promise safe and reproducible effects, with variable levels of precision via different pathways. We describe the landscape of artificial microbiome therapeutics, from those already on the market to those still in the pipeline, and outline the major challenges for positioning these therapeutics in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Porcari
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Gastroenterologia and UOC CEMAD Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - William Fusco
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Gastroenterologia and UOC CEMAD Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Igor Spivak
- Systems Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Medical Clinic III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marcello Fiorani
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Gastroenterologia and UOC CEMAD Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Gastroenterologia and UOC CEMAD Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eran Elinav
- Systems Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Microbiome and Cancer Division, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Cammarota
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Gastroenterologia and UOC CEMAD Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ianiro
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Gastroenterologia and UOC CEMAD Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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30
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Yang QE, Ma X, Li M, Zhao M, Zeng L, He M, Deng H, Liao H, Rensing C, Friman VP, Zhou S, Walsh TR. Evolution of triclosan resistance modulates bacterial permissiveness to multidrug resistance plasmids and phages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3654. [PMID: 38688912 PMCID: PMC11061290 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48006-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The horizontal transfer of plasmids has been recognized as one of the key drivers for the worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across bacterial pathogens. However, knowledge remain limited about the contribution made by environmental stress on the evolution of bacterial AMR by modulating horizontal acquisition of AMR plasmids and other mobile genetic elements. Here we combined experimental evolution, whole genome sequencing, reverse genetic engineering, and transcriptomics to examine if the evolution of chromosomal AMR to triclosan (TCS) disinfectant has correlated effects on modulating bacterial pathogen (Klebsiella pneumoniae) permissiveness to AMR plasmids and phage susceptibility. Herein, we show that TCS exposure increases the evolvability of K. pneumoniae to evolve TCS-resistant mutants (TRMs) by acquiring mutations and altered expression of several genes previously associated with TCS and antibiotic resistance. Notably, nsrR deletion increases conjugation permissiveness of K. pneumoniae to four AMR plasmids, and enhances susceptibility to various Klebsiella-specific phages through the downregulation of several bacterial defense systems and changes in membrane potential with altered reactive oxygen species response. Our findings suggest that unrestricted use of TCS disinfectant imposes a dual impact on bacterial antibiotic resistance by augmenting both chromosomally and horizontally acquired AMR mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu E Yang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xiaodan Ma
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Minchun Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Mengshi Zhao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Lingshuang Zeng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Minzhen He
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hanpeng Liao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Christopher Rensing
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Ville-Petri Friman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shungui Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
| | - Timothy R Walsh
- Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
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31
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Glonti T, Goossens M, Cochez C, Green S, Gorivale S, Wagemans J, Lavigne R, Pirnay JP. Use of the Naturally Occurring Bacteriophage Grouping Model for the Design of Potent Therapeutic Cocktails. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:385. [PMID: 38786114 PMCID: PMC11117255 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The specificity of phages and their ability to evolve and overcome bacterial resistance make them potentially useful as adjuncts in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The goal of this study was to mimic a natural grouping of phages of interest and to evaluate the nature of their proliferation dynamics with bacteria. We have, for the first time, transferred naturally occurring phage groups directly from their sources of isolation to in vitro and identified 13 P. aeruginosa and 11 K. pneumoniae phages of 18 different genera, whose host range was grouped as 1.2-17%, 28-48% and 60-87%, using a large collection of P. aeruginosa (n = 102) and K. pneumoniae (n = 155) strains carrying different virulence factors and phage binding receptors. We introduced the interpretation model curve for phage liquid culturing, which allows easy and quick analysis of bacterial and phage co-proliferation and growth of phage-resistant mutants (PRM) based on qualitative and partially quantitative evaluations. We assayed phage lytic activities both individually and in 14 different cocktails on planktonic bacterial cultures, including three resistotypes of P. aeruginosa (PAO1, PA14 and PA7) and seven K. pneumoniae strains of different capsular serotypes. Based on the results, the natural phage cocktails designed and tested in this study largely performed well and inhibited PRM growth either synergistically or in proto-cooperation. This study contributes to the knowledge of phage behavior in cocktails and the formulation of therapeutic phage preparations. The paper also provides a detailed description of the methods of working with phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Glonti
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium; (M.G.); (C.C.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Michael Goossens
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium; (M.G.); (C.C.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Christel Cochez
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium; (M.G.); (C.C.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Sabrina Green
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; (S.G.); (S.G.); (J.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Sayali Gorivale
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; (S.G.); (S.G.); (J.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; (S.G.); (S.G.); (J.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; (S.G.); (S.G.); (J.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium; (M.G.); (C.C.); (J.-P.P.)
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32
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Moghadam MT, Mojtahedi A, Salamy S, Shahbazi R, Satarzadeh N, Delavar M, Ashoobi MT. Phage therapy as a glimmer of hope in the fight against the recurrence or emergence of surgical site bacterial infections. Infection 2024; 52:385-402. [PMID: 38308075 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-024-02178-0] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Over the last decade, surgery rates have risen alarmingly, and surgical-site infections are expanding these concerns. In spite of advances in infection control practices, surgical infections continue to be a significant cause of death, prolonged hospitalization, and morbidity. As well as the presence of bacterial infections and their antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation is one of the challenges in the treatment of surgical wounds. METHODS This review article was based on published studies on inpatients and laboratory animals receiving phage therapy for surgical wounds, phage therapy for tissue and bone infections treated with surgery to prevent recurrence, antibiotic-resistant wound infections treated with phage therapy, and biofilm-involved surgical wounds treated with phage therapy which were searched without date restrictions. RESULTS It has been shown in this review article that phage therapy can be used to treat surgical-site infections in patients and animals, eliminate biofilms at the surgical site, prevent infection recurrence in wounds that have been operated on, and eradicate antibiotic-resistant infections in surgical wounds, including multi-drug resistance (MDR), extensively drug resistance (XDR), and pan-drug resistance (PDR). A cocktail of phages and antibiotics can also reduce surgical-site infections more effectively than phages alone. CONCLUSION In light of these encouraging results, clinical trials and research with phages will continue in the near future to treat surgical-site infections, biofilm removal, and antibiotic-resistant wounds, all of which could be used to prescribe phages as an alternative to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Taati Moghadam
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ali Mojtahedi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shakiba Salamy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Shahbazi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Naghmeh Satarzadeh
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Majid Delavar
- Vice President of Health and Executive Vice President, Rey Health Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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33
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Yang D, Xiang Y, Song F, Li H, Ji X. Phage therapy: A renewed approach against oral diseases caused by Enterococcus faecalis infections. Microb Pathog 2024; 189:106574. [PMID: 38354990 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106574] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics play an important role in the treatment of infectious diseases. Long-term overuse or misuse of antibiotics, however, has triggered the global crisis of antibiotic resistance, bringing challenges to treating clinical infection. Bacteriophages (phages) are the viruses infecting bacterial cells. Due to high host specificity, high bactericidal activity, and good biosafety, phages have been used as natural alternative antibacterial agents to fight against multiple drug-resistant bacteria. Enterococcus faecalis is the main species detected in secondary persistent infection caused by failure of root canal therapy. Due to strong tolerance and the formation of biofilm, E. faecalis can survive the changes in pH, temperature, and osmotic pressure in the mouth and thus is one of the main causes of periapical lesions. This paper summarizes the advantages of phage therapy, its applications in treating oral diseases caused by E. faecalis infections, and the challenges it faces. It offers a new perspective on phage therapy in oral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yingying Xiang
- Department of Stomatology, Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650031, China
| | - Fei Song
- Department of Minimally Invasive Intervention, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118, China
| | - Haiyan Li
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Xiuling Ji
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China.
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34
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Young J, Lee SW, Shariyate MJ, Cronin A, Wixted JJ, Nazarian A, Rowley CF, Rodriguez EK. Bacteriophage therapy and current delivery strategies for orthopedic infections: A SCOPING review. J Infect 2024; 88:106125. [PMID: 38373574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106125] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interest in phages as adjunctive therapy to treat difficult infections has grown in the last decade. However, phage dosing and delivery for orthopedic infections have not been systematically summarized. METHODS Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a SCOPING review through September 1st, 2023, of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central. RESULTS In total, 77 studies were included, of which 19 (24.7%) were in vitro studies, 17 (22.1%) were animal studies, and 41 (53.2%) were studies in humans. A total of 137 contemporary patients receiving phage therapy are described. CONCLUSIONS Direct phage delivery remains the most studied form of phage therapy, notably in prosthetic joint infections, osteomyelitis, and diabetic foot ulcers. Available evidence describing phage therapy in humans suggests favorable outcomes for orthopedic infections, though this evidence is composed largely of low-level descriptive studies. Several phage delivery devices have been described, though a lack of comparative and in-human evidence limits their therapeutic application. Limitations to the use of phage therapy for orthopedic infections that need to be overcome include a lack of understanding related to optimal dosing and phage pharmacokinetics, bacterial heterogeneity in an infection episode, and phage therapy toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Young
- Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | - Mohammad J Shariyate
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - John J Wixted
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ara Nazarian
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Christopher F Rowley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward K Rodriguez
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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35
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Li L, Gao X, Li M, Liu Y, Ma J, Wang X, Yu Z, Cheng W, Zhang W, Sun H, Song X, Wang Z. Relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae and updates on antibiofilm therapeutic strategies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1324895. [PMID: 38465230 PMCID: PMC10920351 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1324895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium within the Enterobacteriaceae family that can cause multiple systemic infections, such as respiratory, blood, liver abscesses and urinary systems. Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat and K. pneumoniae warrants special attention due to its resistance to most modern day antibiotics. Biofilm formation is a critical obstruction that enhances the antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae. However, knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation and its relation with antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae is limited. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation and its correlation with antibiotic resistance is crucial for providing insight for the design of new drugs to control and treat biofilm-related infections. In this review, we summarize recent advances in genes contributing to the biofilm formation of K. pneumoniae, new progress on the relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, and new therapeutic strategies targeting biofilms. Finally, we discuss future research directions that target biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of this priority pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Li
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueyan Gao
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Mingchao Li
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuchun Liu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiayue Ma
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhidan Yu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weyland Cheng
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wancun Zhang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huiqing Sun
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaorui Song
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhaobao Wang
- Energy-rich Compounds Production by Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
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Duarte J, Máximo C, Costa P, Oliveira V, Gomes NCM, Romalde JL, Pereira C, Almeida A. Potential of an Isolated Bacteriophage to Inactivate Klebsiella pneumoniae: Preliminary Studies to Control Urinary Tract Infections. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:195. [PMID: 38391581 PMCID: PMC10885952 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae can lead to severe clinical complications and even death. An alternative treatment option for infected patients is using bacteriophages. In the present study, we isolated phage VB_KPM_KP1LMA (KP1LMA) from sewage water using a K. pneumoniae strain as a host. Whole-genome analysis indicated that the genome was a double-stranded linear 176,096-bp long DNA molecule with 41.8% GC content and did not contain virulence or antibiotic resistance genes. The inactivation potential of phage KP1LMA was assessed in broth at an MOI of 1 and 10, and a maximum inactivation of 4.9 and 5.4 log CFU/mL, respectively, was observed after 9 h. The efficacy at an MOI of 10 was also assessed in urine to evaluate the phage's performance in an acidic environment. A maximum inactivation of 3.8 log CFU/mL was observed after 9 h. The results suggest that phage KP1LMA could potentially control a UTI caused by this strain of K. pneumoniae, indicating that the same procedure can be used to control UTIs caused by other strains if new specific phages are isolated. Although phage KP1LMA has a narrow host range, in the future, efforts can be made to expand its spectrum of activity and also to combine this phage with others, potentially enabling its use against other K. pneumoniae strains involved in UTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Duarte
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carolina Máximo
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Costa
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Oliveira
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Newton C M Gomes
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jesús L Romalde
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, CRETUS & CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, CP 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carla Pereira
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Adelaide Almeida
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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37
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Cao Yao JC, Garcia Cehic D, Quer J, Méndez JN, Gorrín AD, Hevia LG, Fernández MTT. Complete Genome Sequences of Four Mycobacteriophages Involved in Directed Evolution against Undisputed Mycobacterium abscessus Clinical Strains. Microorganisms 2024; 12:374. [PMID: 38399778 PMCID: PMC10893344 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy is still in its infancy, but it is increasingly promising as a future alternative for treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To investigate the effect of phages on Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC), we isolated 113 environmental phages, grown them to high titres, and assayed them on MABC clinical strains through the spot test. Of all the phages, only 16 showed killing activity. Their activity was so temperate to MABC that they could not generate any plaque-forming units (PFUs). The Appelmans method of directed evolution was carried out to evolve these 16 phages into more lytic ones. After only 11 of 30 rounds of evolution, every single clinical strain in our collection, including those that were unsusceptible up to this point, could be lysed by at least one phage. The evolved phages were able to form PFUs on the clinical strains tested. Still, they are temperate at best and require further training. The genomes of one random parental phage and three random evolved phages from Round 13 were sequenced, revealing a diversity of clusters and genes of a variety of evolutionary origins, mostly of unknown function. These complete annotated genomes will be key for future molecular characterisations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Cao Yao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain (A.D.G.); (L.G.H.)
| | - Damir Garcia Cehic
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (D.G.C.); (J.Q.)
| | - Josep Quer
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (D.G.C.); (J.Q.)
- CIBER de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jesús Navas Méndez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain (A.D.G.); (L.G.H.)
- Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Alexis Dorta Gorrín
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain (A.D.G.); (L.G.H.)
- Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Lorena García Hevia
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain (A.D.G.); (L.G.H.)
- Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - María Teresa Tórtola Fernández
- Mycobacteria Unit, Clinical Laboratories, Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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38
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Wang W, Ma Y, Ma Y, Zheng X, Yu J, Li L, Liu X, Gao H, Xu H, Wang M. Significant Impact of AcrB Amino Acid Polymorphism at Residue 716 on Susceptibility to Tigecycline and Other Antibiotics in Klebsiella pneumoniae. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:541-552. [PMID: 38181222 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00478] [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: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
AcrAB-TolC is a multidrug RND-type efflux pump that is widespread in Gram-negative bacteria. As the substrate-binding subunit, AcrB was shown to modulate antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli, but the influence of AcrB mutation on Klebsiella pneumoniae, a major clinical pathogen, has not been well-studied. The finding of an R716L mutation in AcrB in a clinical tigecycline-nonsusceptible K. pneumoniae S1 strain inspired us to probe the role of AcrB residue 716 in antimicrobial resistance. This residue was subsequently subjected to saturation mutagenesis, followed by antibiotic susceptibility tests, survival assays, and antibiotic accumulation assays, showing strong influences of AcrB mutation on antimicrobial resistance. In particular, resistance levels to azithromycin, tetracycline, tigecycline, and cefoxitin were significantly changed by AcrB mutation at residue 716. Mutations to charged residues, polar residues, and residues that disrupt secondary structures have particularly reduced the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria, except for azithromycin, and the impact is not due to the abolishment of the efflux function of the pump. Therefore, it is concluded that residue 716 is an important residue that significantly influences antimicrobial resistance in K. pneumoniae, adding to our understanding of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in this key clinical pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Yanan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Yueyi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Xinrou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Jianghao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Xuedong Liu
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao, Shandong 266011, China
| | - Haidong Gao
- Oncology Laboratory, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266035, China
| | - Hai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
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39
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Bai R, Guo J. Interactions and Implications of Klebsiella pneumoniae with Human Immune Responses and Metabolic Pathways: A Comprehensive Review. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:449-462. [PMID: 38333568 PMCID: PMC10849896 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s451013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), a significant contributor to the global challenge of antibiotic resistance, is not only a ubiquitous component of the human microbiome but also a potent pathogen capable of causing a spectrum of diseases. This review provides a thorough analysis of the intricate interactions between K. pneumoniae and the human immune system, elucidating its substantial impact on metabolic processes. We explore the mechanisms employed by K. pneumoniae to evade and manipulate immune responses, including molecular mimicry, immune modulation, and biofilm formation. The review further investigates the bacterium's influence on metabolic pathways, particularly glycolysis, highlighting how these interactions exacerbate disease severity. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant strains within the Enterobacteriaceae family has heightened the public health crisis, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive research. We investigate the roles of the host's complement system, autophagy, cell death mechanisms, and various cytokines in combating K. pneumoniae infections, shedding light on areas that warrant further academic investigation. Additionally, the review discusses the challenges posed by K1- and K2-capsule polysaccharides in vaccine development due to their complex molecular structures and adhesive properties. Acknowledging the limited availability of effective antimicrobials, this review advocates for exploring alternative approaches such as immunotherapeutics, vaccinations, and phage therapy. We consolidate current knowledge on K. pneumoniae, covering classical and non-classical subtypes, antimicrobial resistance-mediated genes, virulence factors, and epidemiological trends in isolation and antibiotic resistance rates. This comprehensive review not only advances our understanding of K. pneumoniae but also underscores the imperative for ongoing research and collaborative efforts to develop new prevention and treatment strategies against this formidable pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruojing Bai
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Guo
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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40
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Samananda Singh L. Nano-emulsion encapsulation for the efficient delivery of bacteriophage therapeutics. Biologicals 2024; 85:101725. [PMID: 37951140 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2023.101725] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has become the major concern for global public health. Phage therapy is being considered as an alternative for antibiotics to treat the multidrug resistant bacterial infections. Bacteriophage therapeutic developments has faced many challenges, including the drug formulations for sustainable phage delivery. The nano-emulsion platform has been described as the best approach to retain phage efficacy, shelf life and stability. Encapsulated phage drugs ensure stable delivery of phages to the target site and integrate in the system. In this review, our main focus is on the nano-emulsion encapsulation of bacteriophages and its effects towards the phage therapeutic development.
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41
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Würstle S, Lee A, Kortright KE, Winzig F, An W, Stanley GL, Rajagopalan G, Harris Z, Sun Y, Hu B, Blazanin M, Hajfathalian M, Bollyky PL, Turner PE, Koff JL, Chan BK. Optimized preparation pipeline for emergency phage therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at Yale University. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2657. [PMID: 38302552 PMCID: PMC10834462 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52192-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage therapy is one potential strategy to treat antimicrobial resistant or persistent bacterial infections, and the year 2021 marked the centennial of Felix d'Hérelle's first publication on the clinical applications of phages. At the Center for Phage Biology & Therapy at Yale University, a preparatory modular approach has been established to offer safe and potent phages for single-patient investigational new drug applications while recognizing the time constraints imposed by infection(s). This study provides a practical walkthrough of the pipeline with an Autographiviridae phage targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa (phage vB_PaeA_SB, abbreviated to ΦSB). Notably, a thorough phage characterization and the evolutionary selection pressure exerted on bacteria by phages, analogous to antibiotics, are incorporated into the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Würstle
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
- Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Alina Lee
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Kaitlyn E Kortright
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Franziska Winzig
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - William An
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Gail L Stanley
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Govindarajan Rajagopalan
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Zach Harris
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Buqu Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Michael Blazanin
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Maryam Hajfathalian
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Paul L Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Paul E Turner
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
- Program in Microbiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Jonathan L Koff
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
| | - Benjamin K Chan
- Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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42
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Fletcher J, Manley R, Fitch C, Bugert C, Moore K, Farbos A, Michelsen M, Alathari S, Senior N, Mills A, Whitehead N, Soothill J, Michell S, Temperton B. The Citizen Phage Library: Rapid Isolation of Phages for the Treatment of Antibiotic Resistant Infections in the UK. Microorganisms 2024; 12:253. [PMID: 38399657 PMCID: PMC10893117 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance poses one of the greatest threats to global health and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options. Phages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria and phage therapy could provide a valuable tool for the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections. In this study, water samples collected by citizen scientists as part of the Citizen Phage Library (CPL) project, and wastewater samples from the Environment Agency yielded phages with activity against clinical strains Klebsiella pneumoniae BPRG1484 and Enterobacter cloacae BPRG1482. A total of 169 and 163 phages were found for K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae, respectively, within four days of receiving the strains. A third strain (Escherichia coli BPRG1486) demonstrated cross-reactivity with 42 E. coli phages already held in the CPL collection. Seed lots were prepared for four K. pneumoniae phages and a cocktail combining these phages was found to reduce melanisation in a Galleria mellonella infection model. The resources and protocols utilised by the Citizen Phage Library enabled the rapid isolation and characterisation of phages targeted against multiple strains. In the future, within a clearly defined regulatory framework, phage therapy could be made available on a named-patient basis within the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Fletcher
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Robyn Manley
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Christian Fitch
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Christina Bugert
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Karen Moore
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Audrey Farbos
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Michelle Michelsen
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Shayma Alathari
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Nicola Senior
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Alice Mills
- Exeter Science Centre, Kaleider Studios, 45 Preston Street, Exeter EX1 1DF, UK
| | - Natalie Whitehead
- Exeter Science Centre, Kaleider Studios, 45 Preston Street, Exeter EX1 1DF, UK
| | - James Soothill
- Microbiology, Virology and Infection Control, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Stephen Michell
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
| | - Ben Temperton
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK (B.T.)
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43
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Bird JT, Burke KA, Urick CD, Braverman JL, Mzhavia N, Ellison DW, Nikolich MP, Filippov AA. Genome sequence of the Klebsiella quasipneumoniae bacteriophage EKq1 with activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0095423. [PMID: 38032190 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00954-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe the genome of a lytic phage EKq1 isolated on Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, with activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae. EKq1 is an unclassified representative of the class Caudoviricetes, similar to Klebsiella phages VLCpiS8c, phiKp_7-2, and vB_KleS-HSE3. The 48,244-bp genome has a GC content of 56.43% and 63 predicted protein-coding genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan T Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas , Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Kevin A Burke
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Caitlin D Urick
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Jamie L Braverman
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Nino Mzhavia
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Damon W Ellison
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Mikeljon P Nikolich
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrey A Filippov
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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44
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Schmalstig AA, Wiggins A, Badillo D, Wetzel KS, Hatfull GF, Braunstein M. Bacteriophage infection and killing of intracellular Mycobacterium abscessus. mBio 2024; 15:e0292423. [PMID: 38059609 PMCID: PMC10790704 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02924-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE As we rapidly approach a post-antibiotic era, bacteriophage (phage) therapy may offer a solution for treating drug-resistant bacteria. Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging, multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes disease in people with cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other underlying lung diseases. M. abscessus can survive inside host cells, a niche that can limit access to antibiotics. As current treatment options for M. abscessus infections often fail, there is an urgent need for alternative therapies. Phage therapy is being used to treat M. abscessus infections as an option of last resort. However, little is known about the ability of phages to kill bacteria in the host environment and specifically in an intracellular environment. Here, we demonstrate the ability of phages to enter mammalian cells and to infect and kill intracellular M. abscessus. These findings support the use of phages to treat intracellular bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan A. Schmalstig
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew Wiggins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Debbie Badillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katherine S. Wetzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Graham F. Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Miriam Braunstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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45
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Marton HL, Bhatt A, Sagona AP, Kilbride P, Gibson MI. Screening of Hydrophilic Polymers Reveals Broad Activity in Protecting Phages during Cryopreservation. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:413-424. [PMID: 38124388 PMCID: PMC10777348 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages have many biotechnological and therapeutic applications, but as with other biologics, cryopreservation is essential for storage and distribution. Macromolecular cryoprotectants are emerging for a range of biologics, but the chemical space for polymer-mediated phage cryopreservation has not been explored. Here we screen the cryoprotective effect of a panel of polymers against five distinct phages, showing that nearly all the tested polymers provide a benefit. Exceptions were poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(acrylic acid), which can inhibit phage-infection with bacteria, making post-thaw recovery challenging to assess. A particular benefit of a polymeric cryopreservation formulation is that the polymers do not function as carbon sources for the phage hosts (bacteria) and hence do not interfere with post-thaw measurements. This work shows that phages are amenable to protection with hydrophilic polymers and opens up new opportunities for advanced formulations for future phage therapies and to take advantage of the additional functionality brought by the polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huba L. Marton
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Apoorva Bhatt
- School
of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Microbiology and Infection, University
of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Antonia P. Sagona
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Kilbride
- Asymptote,
Cytiva, Chivers Way, Cambridge CB24 9BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew I. Gibson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Warwick
Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess
Street, Manchester, M1
7DN, United Kingdom
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46
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Maffei E, Woischnig AK, Burkolter MR, Heyer Y, Humolli D, Thürkauf N, Bock T, Schmidt A, Manfredi P, Egli A, Khanna N, Jenal U, Harms A. Phage Paride can kill dormant, antibiotic-tolerant cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by direct lytic replication. Nat Commun 2024; 15:175. [PMID: 38168031 PMCID: PMC10761892 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44157-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are ubiquitous viral predators that have primarily been studied using fast-growing laboratory cultures of their bacterial hosts. However, microbial life in nature is mostly in a slow- or non-growing, dormant state. Here, we show that diverse phages can infect deep-dormant bacteria and suspend their replication until the host resuscitates ("hibernation"). However, a newly isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage, named Paride, can directly replicate and induce the lysis of deep-dormant hosts. While non-growing bacteria are notoriously tolerant to antibiotic drugs, the combination with Paride enables the carbapenem meropenem to eradicate deep-dormant cultures in vitro and to reduce a resilient bacterial infection of a tissue cage implant in mice. Our work might inspire new treatments for persistent bacterial infections and, more broadly, highlights two viral strategies to infect dormant bacteria (hibernation and direct replication) that will guide future studies on phage-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enea Maffei
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Kathrin Woischnig
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco R Burkolter
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yannik Heyer
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dorentina Humolli
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Bock
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Adrian Egli
- Division of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nina Khanna
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Urs Jenal
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Harms
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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47
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Shaposhnikov LA, Tishkov VI, Pometun AA. Lactobacilli and Klebsiella: Two Opposites in the Fight for Human Health. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:S71-S89. [PMID: 38621745 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924140050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The problem of antibiotic resistance is currently very acute. Numerous research and development of new antibacterial drugs are being carried out that could help cope with various infectious agents. One of the promising directions for the search for new antibacterial drugs is the search among the probiotic strains present in the human gastrointestinal tract. This review is devoted to characteristics of one of these probiotic strains that have been studied to date: Limosilactobacillus reuteri. The review discusses its properties, synthesis of various compounds, as well as role of this strain in modulating various systems of the human body. The review also examines key characteristics of one of the most harmful among the currently known pathogenic organisms, Klebsiella, which is significantly resistant to antibiotics existing in medical practice, and also poses a great threat of nosocomial infections. Discussion of characteristics of the two strains, which have opposite effects on human health, may help in creation of new effective antibacterial drugs without significant side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid A Shaposhnikov
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Vladimir I Tishkov
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Pometun
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Institute of Medicine, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, 117198, Russia
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48
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Merabishvili M, Pirnay JP, De Vos D. Guidelines to Compose an Ideal Bacteriophage Cocktail. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2734:49-66. [PMID: 38066362 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3523-0_4] [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
Properly designed bacteriophage therapeutics are the cornerstone for a successful outcome of bacteriophage therapy. Here we present an overview of the different strategies and steps that can be taken to develop a bacteriophage cocktail that complies with relevant quality and safety requirements. It is based on empirical bacteriophage therapy knowledge from over a century of experience, more recently performed studies, and emerging technologies. We emphasize the selection of adequate bacteriophages and describe a modified Appelmans' method to improve the overall performance of therapeutic bacteriophages individually and collectively in the cocktail. We present two versions of the method, which differ from each other by the employed techniques to evaluate phage activity and synergy: photometric assessment of bacterial growth versus measurement of bacterial respiration via the Omnilog® system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Jean-Paul Pirnay
- 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
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49
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Lukianova AA, Shneider MM, Evseev PV, Egorov MV, Kasimova AA, Shpirt AM, Shashkov AS, Knirel YA, Kostryukova ES, Miroshnikov KA. Depolymerisation of the Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide K21 by Klebsiella Phage K5. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17288. [PMID: 38139119 PMCID: PMC10743669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen associated with various infection types, which often exhibits multiple antibiotic resistance. Phages, or bacterial viruses, have an ability to specifically target and destroy K. pneumoniae, offering a potential means of combatting multidrug-resistant infections. Phage enzymes are another promising therapeutic agent that can break down bacterial capsular polysaccharide, which shields K. pneumoniae from the immune response and external factors. In this study, Klebsiella phage K5 was isolated; this phage is active against Klebsiella pneumoniae with the capsular type K21. It was demonstrated that the phage can effectively lyse the host culture. The adsorption apparatus of the phage has revealed two receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) with predicted polysaccharide depolymerising activity. A recombinant form of both RBPs was obtained and experiments showed that one of them depolymerised the capsular polysaccharide K21. The structure of this polysaccharide and its degradation fragments were analysed. The second receptor-binding protein showed no activity on capsular polysaccharide of any of the 31 capsule types tested, so the substrate for this enzyme remains to be determined in the future. Klebsiella phage K5 may be considered a useful agent against Klebsiella infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Lukianova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.E.); (M.V.E.); (K.A.M.)
| | - Mikhail M. Shneider
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.E.); (M.V.E.); (K.A.M.)
| | - Peter V. Evseev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.E.); (M.V.E.); (K.A.M.)
| | - Mikhail V. Egorov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.E.); (M.V.E.); (K.A.M.)
| | - Anastasiya A. Kasimova
- Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prosp. 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (A.M.S.); (A.S.S.); (Y.A.K.)
| | - Anna M. Shpirt
- Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prosp. 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (A.M.S.); (A.S.S.); (Y.A.K.)
| | - Alexander S. Shashkov
- Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prosp. 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (A.M.S.); (A.S.S.); (Y.A.K.)
| | - Yuriy A. Knirel
- Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prosp. 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (A.M.S.); (A.S.S.); (Y.A.K.)
| | - Elena S. Kostryukova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Federal Medical Biological Agency, Malaya Pirogovskaya Str. 1, 119435 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Konstantin A. Miroshnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.E.); (M.V.E.); (K.A.M.)
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50
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Bens L, Green SI, Jansen D, Hillary T, Vanhoutvin T, Matthijnssens J, Sabino J, Vermeire S, Van Laethem A, Wagemans J, Lavigne R. Phage therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa: a unique challenge and possible opportunity for personalized treatment of a complex, inflammatory disease. Clin Exp Dermatol 2023; 48:1221-1229. [PMID: 37315154 DOI: 10.1093/ced/llad207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Phage therapy is an emerging antimicrobial treatment for critical multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this review, the specific potential and challenges of phage therapy for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are discussed. This represents a unique challenge as HS is a chronic inflammatory disease, but presenting with acute exacerbations, which have an enormous negative impact on patient's quality of life. The therapeutic arsenal for HS has expanded in the past decade, for example, with adalimumab and several other biologicals that are currently under investigation. However, treatment of HS remains challenging for dermatologists because there are individuals who do not respond to any classes of the current treatment options when used for a first or second time. Furthermore, after several courses of treatment, a patient may lose their response to therapy, meaning long-term use is not always an option. Culturing studies and 16S ribosomal RNA profiling highlight the complex polymicrobial nature of HS lesions. Despite the detection of various bacterial species in lesion samples, several key pathogens, including Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Streptococcus, may be potential targets for phage therapy. Using phage therapy for the treatment of a chronic inflammatory disease could potentially provide new insights into the role of bacteria and the immune system in HS development. In addition, it is possible more details on the immunomodulatory effects of phages may come to light.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daan Jansen
- Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU LeuvenBelgium
| | | | | | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU LeuvenBelgium
| | - João Sabino
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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