1
|
Feng L, Chen H, Qian C, Zhao Y, Wang W, Liu Y, Xu M, Cao J, Zhou T, Wu Q. Resistance, mechanism, and fitness cost of specific bacteriophages for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mSphere 2024; 9:e0055323. [PMID: 38299825 PMCID: PMC10900902 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00553-23] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The bacteriophage is an effective adjunct to existing antibiotic therapy; however, in the course of bacteriophage therapy, host bacteria will develop resistance to bacteriophages, thus affecting the efficacy. Therefore, it is important to describe how bacteria evade bacteriophage attack and the consequences of the biological changes that accompany the development of bacteriophage resistance before the bacteriophage is applied. The specific bacteriophage vB3530 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) has stable biological characteristics, short incubation period, strong in vitro cleavage ability, and absence of virulence or resistance genes. Ten bacteriophage-resistant strains (TL3780-R) were induced using the secondary infection approach, and the plaque assay showed that vB3530 was less sensitive to TL3780-R. Identification of bacteriophage adsorption receptors showed that the bacterial surface polysaccharide was probably the adsorption receptor of vB3530. In contrast to the TL3780 parental strain, TL3780-R is characterized by the absence of long lipopolysaccharide chains, which may be caused by base insertion of wzy or deletion of galU. It is also intriguing to observe that, in comparison to the parent strain, the bacteriophage-resistant strains TL3780-R mostly exhibited a large cost of fitness (growth rate, biofilm formation, motility, and ability to produce enhanced pyocyanin). In addition, TL3780-R9 showed increased susceptibility to aminoglycosides and chlorhexidine, which may be connected to the loss and down-regulation of mexX expression. Consequently, these findings fully depicted the resistance mechanism of P. aeruginosa to vB3530 and the fitness cost of bacteriophage resistance, laying a foundation for further application of bacteriophage therapy.IMPORTANCEThe bacteriophage is an effective adjunct to existing antibiotic therapy; However, bacteria also develop defensive mechanisms against bacteriophage attack. Thus, there is an urgent need to deeply understand the resistance mechanism of bacteria to bacteriophages and the fitness cost of bacteriophage resistance so as to lay the foundation for subsequent application of the phage. In this study, a specific bacteriophage vB3530 of P. aeruginosa had stable biological characteristics, short incubation period, strong in vitro cleavage ability, and absence of virulence or resistance genes. In addition, we found that P. aeruginosa may lead to phage resistance due to the deletion of galU and the base insertion of wzy, involved in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides. Simultaneously, we showed the association with the biological state of the bacteria after bacteria acquire bacteriophage resistance, which is extremely relevant to guide the future application of therapeutic bacteriophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luozhu Feng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Huanchang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Changrui Qian
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yining Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Weixiang Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Mengxin Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jianming Cao
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qing Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Song W, Yue Y, Zhang Q. Imbalance of gut microbiota is involved in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115150. [PMID: 37429232 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation and remodeling, which seriously endangers human health. Recent developments in genomics and metabolomics have revealed the roles of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in COPD. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota directly increases gut permeability, thereby promoting the translocation of pathological bacteria. The gut microbiota and associated metabolites may influence the development and progression of COPD by modulating immunity and inflammation. Furthermore, the systemic hypoxia and oxidative stress that occur in COPD may also be involved in intestinal dysfunction. The cross-talk between the gut and lungs is known as the gut-lung axis; however, an overview of its mechanism is lacking. This review highlights the critical and complex interplay of gut microbiota and immune responses in the gut-lung axis, further explores possible links between the gut and lungs, and summarizes new interventions through diet, probiotics, vitamins, and fecal microbiota transplantation, which are critical to COPD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China
| | - Yuanyi Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schubert BD, Ku H, Kabwe M, Nguyen TH, Irving H, Tucci J. Effects of Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteriophages on IRAK3 Knockdown/Knockout THP-1 Monocyte Cell Lines. Viruses 2022; 14:2582. [PMID: 36423191 PMCID: PMC9699088 DOI: 10.3390/v14112582] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial sepsis characterised by an immunosuppressive and cytokine storm state is a challenge to treat clinically. While conventional antibiotics have been associated with exacerbating the cytokine storm, the role that bacteriophages may play in immune modulation of sepsis remains unclear. Bacteriophages are bacterial viruses that have the capacity to lyse specific bacteria and hence provide a natural alternative to antibiotics. K. pneumoniae is known to cause sepsis in humans, and in this study we isolated two lytic bacteriophages against this pathogen, one of which was a novel jumbo bacteriophage. We employed THP-1 monocyte cell lines, with different functional phenotypes for the interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 3 (IRAK3- a cytoplasmic homeostatic mediator and prognostic marker of inflammation), to evaluate the role of the K. pneumoniae bacteriophages in modulating the immune response in-vitro. We showed for the first time that bacteriophages did not stimulate excessive production of tumour necrosis factor alpha, or interleukin-6, in THP-1 monocyte cell lines which displayed varying levels of IRAK3 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryce Dylan Schubert
- Department of Rural Clinical Sciences, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
| | - Heng Ku
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans & Atmosphere, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Mwila Kabwe
- Department of Rural Clinical Sciences, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
| | - Trang Hong Nguyen
- Department of Rural Clinical Sciences, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
| | - Helen Irving
- Department of Rural Clinical Sciences, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
| | - Joseph Tucci
- Department of Rural Clinical Sciences, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li P, Zhang Y, Yan F, Zhou X. Characteristics of a Bacteriophage, vB_Kox_ZX8, Isolated From Clinical Klebsiella oxytoca and Its Therapeutic Effect on Mice Bacteremia. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:763136. [PMID: 34925270 PMCID: PMC8678519 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.763136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella oxytoca is an important nosocomial and community-acquired opportunistic pathogenic Klebsiella and has become the second most prevalent strain in the clinic after K. pneumoniae. However, there have been few reports of bacteriophages used for treating K. oxytoca. In this study, a novel bacteriophage, vB_Kox_ZX8, which specifically infects K. oxytoca AD3, was isolated for the first time from human fecal samples. The biological characteristics of vB_Kox_ZX8 showed an incubation period of 10 min, a burst size of 74 PFU/cell, and a stable pH range of 3-11. Genomic bioinformatics studies of vB_Kox_ZX8 showed that it belongs to the genus Przondovirus, subfamily Studiervirinae, family Autographiviridae. The genome of vB_Kox_ZX8 is 39,398 bp in length and contains 46 putative open reading frames encoding functional proteins, such as DNA degradation, packaging, structural, lysin-holin, and hypothetical proteins. We further investigated the efficacy of vB_Kox_ZX8 phage in the treatment of mice with bacteremia caused by K. oxytoca infection. The results showed that vB_Kox_ZX8 (5 × 109 PFU/mouse) injected intraperitoneally alone was metabolized rapidly in BALB/c mice, and no significant side effects were observed in the control and treatment groups. Importantly, intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of phage vB_Kox_ZX8 (5 × 107 PFU/mouse) for 1 h post-infection saved 100% of BALB/c mice from bacteremia induced by intraperitoneal challenge with a minimum lethal dose of K. oxytoca AD3. However, all negative control mice injected with PBS alone died. Owing to its good safety, narrow host infectivity, high lysis efficiency in vitro, and good in vivo therapeutic effect, phage vB_Kox_ZX8 has the potential to be an excellent antibacterial agent for clinical K. oxytoca-caused infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yangheng Zhang
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fuhua Yan
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kabwe M, Dashper S, Bachrach G, Tucci J. Bacteriophage manipulation of the microbiome associated with tumour microenvironments-can this improve cancer therapeutic response? FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:6188389. [PMID: 33765142 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Some cancer treatment failures have been attributed to the tumour microbiota, with implications that microbiota manipulation may improve treatment efficacy. While antibiotics have been used to control bacterial growth, their dysbiotic effects on the microbiome, failure to penetrate biofilms and decreased efficacy due to increasing antimicrobial resistance by bacteria, suggest alternatives are needed. Bacteriophages may provide a precise means for targeting oncobacteria whose relative abundance is increased in tumour tissue microbiomes. Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella, Parvimonas, and Treponema species are prevalent in tumour tissue microbiomes of some cancers. They may promote cancer growth by dampening immunity, stimulating release of proinflammatory cytokines, and directly interacting with cancer cells to stimulate proliferation. Lytic bacteriophages against some of these oncobacteria have been isolated and characterised. The search continues for others. The possibility exists for their testing as adjuncts to complement existing therapies. In this review, we highlight the role of oncobacteria, specifically those whose relative abundance in the intra-tumour microbiome is increased, and discuss the potential for bacteriophages against these micro-organisms to augment existing cancer therapies. The capacity for bacteriophages to modulate immunity and kill specific bacteria makes them suitable candidates to manipulate the tumour microbiome and negate the effects of these oncobacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mwila Kabwe
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Sharon St. Bendigo, Victoria 3550, Australia
| | - Stuart Dashper
- Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, 720 Swanston St, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Gilad Bachrach
- The Institute of Dental Sciences, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, PO Box 12272, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Joseph Tucci
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Sharon St. Bendigo, Victoria 3550, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ku H, Kabwe M, Chan HT, Stanton C, Petrovski S, Batinovic S, Tucci J. Novel Drexlerviridae bacteriophage KMI8 with specific lytic activity against Klebsiella michiganensis and its biofilms. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257102. [PMID: 34492081 PMCID: PMC8423285 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial genus Klebsiella includes the closely related species K. michiganensis, K. oxytoca and K. pneumoniae, which are capable of causing severe disease in humans. In this report we describe the isolation, genomic and functional characterisation of the lytic bacteriophage KMI8 specific for K. michiganensis. KMI8 belongs to the family Drexlerviridae, and has a novel genome which shares very little homology (71.89% identity over a query cover of only 8%) with that of its closest related bacteriophages (Klebsiella bacteriophage LF20 (MW417503.1); Klebsiella bacteriophage 066039 (MW042802.1). KMI8, which possess a putative endosialidase (depolymerase) enzyme, was shown to be capable of degrading mono-biofilms of a strain of K. michiganensis that carried the polysaccharide capsule KL70 locus. This is the first report of a lytic bacteriophage for K. michiganensis, which is capable of breaking down a biofilm of this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Ku
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mwila Kabwe
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hiu Tat Chan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cassandra Stanton
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steve Petrovski
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Batinovic
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph Tucci
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Manufacturing Bacteriophages (Part 2 of 2): Formulation, Analytics and Quality Control Considerations. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090895. [PMID: 34577595 PMCID: PMC8467454 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Within this second piece of the two-part series of phage manufacturing considerations, we are examining the creation of a drug product from a drug substance in the form of formulation, through to fill-finish. Formulation of a drug product, in the case of bacteriophage products, is often considered only after many choices have been made in the development and manufacture of a drug substance, increasing the final product development timeline and difficulty of achieving necessary performance parameters. As with the preceding review in this sequence, we aim to provide the reader with a framework to be able to consider pharmaceutical development choices for the formulation of a bacteriophage-based drug product. The intent is to sensitize and highlight the tradeoffs that are necessary in the development of a finished drug product, and to be able to take the entire spectrum of tradeoffs into account, starting with early-stage R&D efforts. Furthermore, we are arming the reader with an overview of historical and current analytical methods with a special emphasis on most relevant and most widely available methods. Bacteriophages pose some challenges that are related to but also separate from eukaryotic viruses. Last, but not least, we close this two-part series by briefly discussing quality control (QC) aspects of a bacteriophage-based product, taking into consideration the opportunities and challenges that engineered bacteriophages uniquely present and offer.
Collapse
|
8
|
Novel formulations and drug delivery systems to administer biological solids. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 172:183-210. [PMID: 33705873 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in formulation sciences have expanded the previously limited design space for biological modalities, including peptide, protein, and vaccine products. At the same time, the discovery and application of new modalities, such as cellular therapies and gene therapies, have presented formidable challenges to formulation scientists. We explore these challenges and highlight the opportunities to overcome them through the development of novel formulations and drug delivery systems as biological solids. We review the current progress in both industry and academic laboratories, and we provide expert perspectives in those settings. Formulation scientists have made a tremendous effort to accommodate the needs of these novel delivery routes. These include stability-preserving formulations and dehydration processes as well as dosing regimes and dosage forms that improve patient compliance.
Collapse
|
9
|
Hassan AY, Lin JT, Ricker N, Anany H. The Age of Phage: Friend or Foe in the New Dawn of Therapeutic and Biocontrol Applications? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:199. [PMID: 33670836 PMCID: PMC7997343 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extended overuse and misuse of antibiotics and other antibacterial agents has resulted in an antimicrobial resistance crisis. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, have emerged as a legitimate alternative antibacterial agent with a wide scope of applications which continue to be discovered and refined. However, the potential of some bacteriophages to aid in the acquisition, maintenance, and dissemination of negatively associated bacterial genes, including resistance and virulence genes, through transduction is of concern and requires deeper understanding in order to be properly addressed. In particular, their ability to interact with mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, genomic islands, and integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) enables bacteriophages to contribute greatly to bacterial evolution. Nonetheless, bacteriophages have the potential to be used as therapeutic and biocontrol agents within medical, agricultural, and food processing settings, against bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm environments. Additionally, bacteriophages have been deployed in developing rapid, sensitive, and specific biosensors for various bacterial targets. Intriguingly, their bioengineering capabilities show great promise in improving their adaptability and effectiveness as biocontrol and detection tools. This review aims to provide a balanced perspective on bacteriophages by outlining advantages, challenges, and future steps needed in order to boost their therapeutic and biocontrol potential, while also providing insight on their potential role in contributing to bacterial evolution and survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Y. Hassan
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, ON N1G 5C9, Canada;
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Janet T. Lin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Nicole Ricker
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Hany Anany
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, ON N1G 5C9, Canada;
- Department of Food Science, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Brown TL, Ku H, Mnatzaganian G, Angove M, Petrovski S, Kabwe M, Tucci J. The varying effects of a range of preservatives on Myoviridae and Siphoviridae bacteriophages formulated in a semi-solid cream preparation. Lett Appl Microbiol 2020; 71:203-209. [PMID: 32294268 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages may be formulated into semi-solid bases for therapeutic delivery. This work investigated the effects of a range of preservatives on the viability of Myoviridae and Siphoviridae bacteriophages when these were formulated into a standard semi-solid cream base. The six preservatives tested included: benzoic acid (0·1%), chlorocresol (0·1%), combination hydroxybenzoates (propyl 4-hydroxybenzoates with methyl 4-hydroxybenzoates) (0·1%), methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (0·08%), 2-phenoxyethanol (1%) and propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (0·02%). These were each formulated into cetomacrogol cream aqueous to generate six individual semi-solid bases into which Myoviridae and Siphoviridae bacteriophages were added and tested for stability. Optimal bacteriophage stability was seen when the preservative chlorocresol was used. Bacteriophage in the acidic benzoic acid were the least stable, resulting in complete loss of viability after 4-5 weeks. Of the bacteriophages tested, the Myoviridae KOX1 was significantly more stable than the Siphoviridae PAC1 after 91 days in formulations with each of the preservatives. Our results suggest the need for individual testing of specific bacteriophages in pharmaceutical formulations, as their efficacy when exposed to preservatives and excipients in these delivery forms may vary. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Bacteriophages are being increasingly investigated as alternatives to antibiotics. While bacteriophages can be formulated in diverse ways for therapeutic delivery, there has been scant work on how excipients and preservatives in these formulations affect stability of different bacteriophages. We demonstrate that the nature of preservatives in formulations will affect bacteriophage stability, and that in these formulations, viability of bacteriophage differs according to their morphology. Our work highlights the need for individual testing of specific bacteriophages in pharmaceutical formulations, as efficacy when exposed to preservatives and excipients in these delivery forms may vary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T L Brown
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia.,Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, UK
| | - H Ku
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
| | - G Mnatzaganian
- Rural Department of Community Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
| | - M Angove
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
| | - S Petrovski
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - M Kabwe
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
| | - J Tucci
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Herridge WP, Shibu P, O’Shea J, Brook TC, Hoyles L. Bacteriophages of Klebsiella spp., their diversity and potential therapeutic uses. J Med Microbiol 2020; 69:176-194. [PMID: 31976857 PMCID: PMC7431098 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella spp. are commensals of the human microbiota, and a leading cause of opportunistic nosocomial infections. The incidence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing serious infections is increasing, and Klebsiella oxytoca is an emerging pathogen. Alternative strategies to tackle infections caused by these bacteria are required as strains become resistant to last-resort antibiotics such as colistin. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that can infect and kill bacteria. They and their gene products are now being considered as alternatives or adjuncts to antimicrobial therapies. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the potential for lytic phages to combat MDR K. pneumoniae infections. Ready access to cheap sequencing technologies has led to a large increase in the number of genomes available for Klebsiella-infecting phages, with these phages being heterogeneous at the whole-genome level. This review summarizes our current knowledge on phages of Klebsiella spp. and highlights technological and biological issues relevant to the development of phage-based therapies targeting these bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warren P. Herridge
- Department of Biosciences, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Preetha Shibu
- Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Jessica O’Shea
- Department of Biosciences, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Thomas C. Brook
- Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Lesley Hoyles
- Department of Biosciences, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mutti M, Corsini L. Robust Approaches for the Production of Active Ingredient and Drug Product for Human Phage Therapy. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2289. [PMID: 31649636 PMCID: PMC6791927 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To be successful, academic and commercial efforts to reintroduce phage therapy must ensure that only safe and efficacious products are used to treat patients. This raises a number of manufacturing, formulation, and delivery challenges. Since phages are biologics, robust manufacturing processes will be crucial to avoid unwanted variability in each step of the process. The quality standards themselves need to be developed, as patients are currently being treated with phages produced under quality standards ranging from cGMP for clinical trials in EMA and FDA regulated environments to no standards at all in some last resort treatments. In this short review, we will systematically review the literature covering technical issues and approaches to increase robustness at every step of the production process: the identity of the phage and bacterial production strains, the fermentation process and purification, the formulation of the drug product, the quality controls and the documentation standards themselves. We conclude that it is possible to control cost at the same time, which is critical to re-introduce phage therapy to western medicine.
Collapse
|
13
|
Interactions between microbiome and lungs: Paving new paths for microbiome based bio-engineered drug delivery systems in chronic respiratory diseases. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 310:108732. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.108732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
14
|
Jończyk-Matysiak E, Łodej N, Kula D, Owczarek B, Orwat F, Międzybrodzki R, Neuberg J, Bagińska N, Weber-Dąbrowska B, Górski A. Factors determining phage stability/activity: challenges in practical phage application. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2019; 17:583-606. [PMID: 31322022 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2019.1646126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Phages consist of nucleic acids and proteins that may lose their activity under different physico-chemical conditions. The production process of phage formulations may decrease phage infectivity. Ingredients present in the preparation may influence phage particles, although preparation and storage conditions may also cause variations in phage titer. Significant factors are the manner of phage application, the patient's immune system status, the type of medication being taken, and diet. Areas covered: We discuss factors determining phage activity and stability, which is relevant for the preparation and application of phage formulations with the highest therapeutic efficacy. Our article should be helpful for more insightful implementation of clinical trials, which could pave the way for successful phage therapy. Expert opinion: The number of naturally occurring phages is practically unlimited and phages vary in their susceptibility to external factors. Modern methods offer engineering techniques which should lead to enhanced precision in phage delivery and anti-bacterial activity. Recent data suggesting that phages may also be used in treating nonbacterial infections as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents add further weight to such studies. It may be anticipated that different phage activities could have varying susceptibility to factors determining their actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Norbert Łodej
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Dominika Kula
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Filip Orwat
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland.,b Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland.,c Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Joanna Neuberg
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Natalia Bagińska
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland.,c Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Andrzej Górski
- a Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland.,b Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland.,c Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences , Wroclaw , Poland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Batinovic S, Wassef F, Knowler SA, Rice DTF, Stanton CR, Rose J, Tucci J, Nittami T, Vinh A, Drummond GR, Sobey CG, Chan HT, Seviour RJ, Petrovski S, Franks AE. Bacteriophages in Natural and Artificial Environments. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030100. [PMID: 31336985 PMCID: PMC6789717 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are biological entities that have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. They have been reported as the most abundant biological entities on the planet and their ability to impact the composition of bacterial communities is of great interest. In this review, we aim to explore where phages exist in natural and artificial environments and how they impact communities. The natural environment in this review will focus on the human body, soils, and the marine environment. In these naturally occurring environments there is an abundance of phages suggesting a role in the maintenance of bacterial community homeostasis. The artificial environment focuses on wastewater treatment plants, industrial processes, followed by pharmaceutical formulations. As in natural environments, the existence of bacteria in manmade wastewater treatment plants and industrial processes inevitably attracts phages. The presence of phages in these environments can inhibit the bacteria required for efficient water treatment or food production. Alternatively, they can have a positive impact by eliminating recalcitrant organisms. Finally, we conclude by describing how phages can be manipulated or formulated into pharmaceutical products in the laboratory for use in natural or artificial environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Batinovic
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Flavia Wassef
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Sarah A Knowler
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Daniel T F Rice
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Cassandra R Stanton
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Jayson Rose
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Joseph Tucci
- Department of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia
| | - Tadashi Nittami
- Division of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Antony Vinh
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Grant R Drummond
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Christopher G Sobey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Hiu Tat Chan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Robert J Seviour
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Steve Petrovski
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
| | - Ashley E Franks
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cai R, Wang Z, Wang G, Zhang H, Cheng M, Guo Z, Ji Y, Xi H, Wang X, Xue Y, Ur Rahman S, Sun C, Feng X, Lei L, Tong Y, Han W, Gu J. Biological properties and genomics analysis of vB_KpnS_GH-K3, a Klebsiella phage with a putative depolymerase-like protein. Virus Genes 2019; 55:696-706. [PMID: 31254238 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-019-01681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages have been recently revisited as an alternative biocontrol tool due to the limitations of antibiotic treatment. In this study, we reported on the biological characteristics and genomic information of vB_KpnS_GH-K3 (abbreviated as GH-K3), a Klebsiella phage of the Siphoviridae family, which was previously isolated from a hospital sewage system. One-step growth curve analysis indicated that the burst size of GH-K3 was 291 PFU/cell. GH-K3 maintained a stable titer in a broad range of pH values (6-10) and temperature (up to 50 °C). Based on bioinformatics analysis, GH-K3 comprises of 49,427 bp containing a total of 77 open reading frames (ORFs), which share high degree of nucleotide similarity and close evolutionary relationships with at least 12 other Klebsiella phages. Of note, GH-K3 gp32 was identified as a unique ORF. The major segment of gp32 sequence at the C-terminus (residues 351-907) was found highly variable as determined by its mismatch with the nucleotide and protein sequences available at NCBI database. Furthermore, HHpred analysis indicated that GH-K3 gp32 contains three domains (PDB ID: 5W6S_A, 3GQ8_A and 1BHE_A) similar to depolymerase (depoKP36) of Klebsiella phage KP36 suggestive of a potential depolymerase activity during host receptor-binding in the processes of phage infection. Altogether, the current data revealed a novel putative depolymerase-like protein which is most likely to play an important role in phage-host interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruopeng Cai
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Zijing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengjun Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yalu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Hengyu Xi
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinwu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Yibing Xue
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Sadeeq Ur Rahman
- College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, 23200, Pakistan
| | - Changjiang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Feng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Liancheng Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Yigang Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingmin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Road 5333#, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Genomic, morphological and functional characterisation of novel bacteriophage FNU1 capable of disrupting Fusobacterium nucleatum biofilms. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9107. [PMID: 31235721 PMCID: PMC6591296 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45549-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusobacterium nucleatum is an important oral bacterium that has been linked to the development of chronic diseases such as periodontitis and colorectal cancer. In periodontal disease, F. nucleatum forms the backbone of the polymicrobial biofilm and in colorectal cancer is implicated in aetiology, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. The control of this bacteria may be important in assisting treatment of these diseases. With increased rates of antibiotic resistance globally, there is need for development of alternatives such as bacteriophages, which may complement existing therapies. Here we describe the morphology, genomics and functional characteristics of FNU1, a novel bacteriophage lytic against F. nucleatum. Transmission electron microscopy revealed FNU1 to be a large Siphoviridae virus with capsid diameter of 88 nm and tail of approximately 310 nm in length. Its genome was 130914 bp, with six tRNAs, and 8% of its ORFs encoding putative defence genes. FNU1 was able to kill cells within and significantly reduce F. nucleatum biofilm mass. The identification and characterisation of this bacteriophage will enable new possibilities for the treatment and prevention of F. nucleatum associated diseases to be explored.
Collapse
|
18
|
Semi-Solid and Solid Dosage Forms for the Delivery of Phage Therapy to Epithelia. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11010026. [PMID: 29495355 PMCID: PMC5874722 DOI: 10.3390/ph11010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The delivery of phages to epithelial surfaces for therapeutic outcomes is a realistic proposal, and indeed one which is being currently tested in clinical trials. This paper reviews some of the known research on formulation of phages into semi-solid dosage forms such as creams, ointments and pastes, as well as solid dosage forms such as troches (or lozenges and pastilles) and suppositories/pessaries, for delivery to the epithelia. The efficacy and stability of these phage formulations is discussed, with a focus on selection of optimal semi-solid bases for phage delivery. Issues such as the need for standardisation of techniques for formulation as well as for assessment of efficacy are highlighted. These are important when trying to compare results from a range of experiments and across different delivery bases.
Collapse
|