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Zhuang Z, Cheng YY, Deng J, Cai Z, Zhong L, Qu JX, Wang K, Yang L. Genomic insights into the phage-defense systems of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical isolates. Microbiol Res 2024; 278:127528. [PMID: 37918082 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127528] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a rapidly evolving multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious infections in immunocompromised patients. Although phage therapy is one of promising strategies for dealing with MDR bacteria, the main challenges of phage therapeutics include accumulation of phage resistant mutations and acquisition of the phage defense systems. To systematically evaluate the impact of (pro)phages in shaping genetic and evolutionary diversity of S. maltophilia, we collected 166 S. maltophilia isolates from three hospitals in southern China to analyze its pangenome, virulence factors, prophage regions, and anit-viral immune systems. Pangenome analysis indicated that there are 1328 saturated core genes and 26961 unsaturated accessory genes in the pangenome, suggesting existence of highly variable parts of S. maltophilia genome. The presence of genes in relation to T3SS and T6SS mechanisms suggests the great potential to secrete toxins by the S. maltophilia population, which is contrary to the conventional notion of low-virulence of S. maltophilia. Additionally, we characterized the pan-immune system maps of these clinical isolates against phage infections and revealed the co-harboring of CBASS and anti-CBASS in some strains, suggesting a never-ending arms race and the co-evolutionary dynamic between bacteria and phages. Furthermore, our study predicted 310 prophage regions in S. maltophilia with high genetic diversity. Six viral defense systems were found to be located at specific position of the S. maltophilia prophage genomes, indicating potential evolution of certain site/region similar to bacterial 'defense islands' in prophage. Our study provides novel insights into the S. maltophilia pangenome in relation to phage-defense mechanisms, which extends our understanding of bacterial-phage interactions and might guide the application of phage therapy in combating S. maltophilia infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilin Zhuang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Ying-Ying Cheng
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Jinan University, Shenzhen, PR China; BGI Forensic, Shenzhen 518083, PR China; The First Affiliated Hospital (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Jie Deng
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zhao Cai
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Lin Zhong
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, PR China
| | - Jiu-Xin Qu
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, PR China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China.
| | - Liang Yang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, PR China; Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China.
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2
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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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3
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Adamczyk-Popławska M, Golec P, Piekarowicz A, Kwiatek A. The potential for bacteriophages and prophage elements in fighting and preventing the gonorrhea. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023:1-16. [PMID: 37897236 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2274849] [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: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages are the most numerous entities on earth and are found everywhere their bacterial hosts live. As natural bacteria killers, phages are extensively investigated as a potential cure for bacterial infections. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus) is the etiologic agent of a sexually transmitted disease: gonorrhea. The rapid increase of resistance of N. gonorrhoeae to antibiotics urges scientists to look for alternative treatments to combat gonococcal infections. Phage therapy has not been tested as an anti-gonococcal therapy so far. To date, no lytic phage has been discovered against N. gonorrhoeae. Nevertheless, gonococcal genomes contain both dsDNA and ssDNA prophages, and viral particle induction has been documented. In this review, we consider literature data about the attempts of hunting for a bacteriophage specific for gonococci - the gonophage. We also discuss the potential application of prophage elements in the fight against N. gonorrhoeae. Temperate phages may be useful in preventing and treating gonorrhea as a scaffold for anti-gonococcal vaccine development and as a source of lytic enzymes with anti-gonococcal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Adamczyk-Popławska
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Golec
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Piekarowicz
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kwiatek
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Osman AH, Kotey FCN, Odoom A, Darkwah S, Yeboah RK, Dayie NTKD, Donkor ES. The Potential of Bacteriophage-Antibiotic Combination Therapy in Treating Infections with Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1329. [PMID: 37627749 PMCID: PMC10451467 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing threat of antibiotic resistance is a significant global health challenge that has intensified in recent years. The burden of antibiotic resistance on public health is augmented due to its multifaceted nature, as well as the slow-paced and limited development of new antibiotics. The threat posed by resistance is now existential in phage therapy, which had long been touted as a promising replacement for antibiotics. Consequently, it is imperative to explore the potential of combination therapies involving antibiotics and phages as a feasible alternative for treating infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Although either bacteriophage or antibiotics can potentially treat bacterial infections, they are each fraught with resistance. Combination therapies, however, yielded positive outcomes in most cases; nonetheless, a few combinations did not show any benefit. Combination therapies comprising the synergistic activity of phages and antibiotics and combinations of phages with other treatments such as probiotics hold promise in the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eric S. Donkor
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana; (A.-H.O.); (F.C.N.K.); (A.O.); (S.D.); (R.K.Y.); (N.T.K.D.D.)
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5
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Young MJ, Hall LML, Merabishvilli M, Pirnay JP, Clark JR, Jones JD. Phage Therapy for Diabetic Foot Infection: A Case Series. Clin Ther 2023; 45:797-801. [PMID: 37442654 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.06.009] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Infected diabetic foot ulcers can be difficult to treat and, despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, some diabetic foot infections (DFIs) require amputation. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect and kill bacteria. Phage therapy has been repeatedly used to successfully treat DFIs and other chronic wounds. METHODS This article reports the provision of topical adjunctive anti-staphylococcal phage therapy to 10 patients with DFI at high risk of amputation at two UK hospitals as part of clinical care; tolerability and efficacy were clinically assessed. FINDINGS The opinion of the experienced clinical teams caring for these patients was that 9 of the 10 patients appeared to benefit from adjunctive phage therapy. No adverse effects were reported by clinicians or patients. In 6 of 10 patients the clinical impression was that phage therapy facilitated clinical resolution of infection and limb salvage. Resolution of soft tissue infection was observed in a 7th patient but unresolved osteomyelitis required amputation. An 8th patient demonstrated eradication of Staphylococcus aureus from a polymicrobial infection and a 9th showed signs of clinical improvement before early cessation of phage therapy due to an unrelated event. One patient, with a weakly susceptible S aureus isolate, had no significant response. IMPLICATIONS This report describes the largest application of phage therapy in the United Kingdom to date and the first application of phage therapy for DFI in the United Kingdom and offers subjective hints toward impressive tolerability and efficacy. Phage therapy has the potential to transform the prevention and treatment of DFIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Young
- Diabetes Foot Clinic, Out Patient Department 2, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley M L Hall
- Diabetes and Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Maya Merabishvilli
- 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
| | | | - Joshua D Jones
- Infection Medicine, Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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6
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Bakuradze N, Merabishvili M, Kusradze I, Ceyssens PJ, Onsea J, Metsemakers WJ, Grdzelishvili N, Natroshvili G, Tatrishvili T, Lazvliashvili D, Mitskevich N, Pirnay JP, Chanishvili N. Characterization of a Bacteriophage GEC_vB_Bfr_UZM3 Active against Bacteroides fragilis. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051042. [PMID: 37243129 DOI: 10.3390/v15051042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteroides fragilis is a commensal gut bacterium that is associated with a number of blood and tissue infections. It has not yet been recognized as one of the drug-resistant human pathogens, but cases of the refractory infections, caused by strains that are not susceptible to the common antibiotic regimes established for B. fragilis, have been more frequently reported. Bacteriophages (phages) were found to be a successful antibacterial alternative to antibiotic therapy in many cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. We have characterized the bacteriophage GEC_vB_Bfr_UZM3 (UZM3), which was used for the treatment of a patient with a chronic osteomyelitis caused by a B. fragilis mixed infection. Studied biological and morphological properties of UZM3 showed that it seems to represent a strictly lytic phage belonging to a siphovirus morphotype. It is characterized by high stability at body temperature and in pH environments for about 6 h. Whole genome sequencing analysis of the phage UZM3 showed that it does not harbor any known virulence genes and can be considered as a potential therapeutic phage to be used against B. fragilis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nata Bakuradze
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
- AIETI Medical School, Davit Tvildiani Medical University, Tbilisi 0159, Georgia
| | - Maia Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ia Kusradze
- Laboratory of General Microbiology, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
- Faculty of Medicine, European University, Tbilisi 0141, Georgia
| | | | - Jolien Onsea
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Willem-Jan Metsemakers
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nino Grdzelishvili
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
- Faculty of Natural Science and Medicine, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia
| | - Guliko Natroshvili
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
| | - Tamar Tatrishvili
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
- Faculty of Natural Science and Medicine, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia
| | - Davit Lazvliashvili
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
- Faculty of Natural Science and Medicine, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia
| | - Nunu Mitskevich
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
| | - Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nina Chanishvili
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
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7
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Durr HA, Leipzig ND. Advancements in bacteriophage therapies and delivery for bacterial infection. MATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 4:1249-1257. [PMID: 36895585 PMCID: PMC9987412 DOI: 10.1039/d2ma00980c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Having co-evolved with bacteria over hundreds of millions of years, bacteriophage are effective killers of specific bacterial hosts. Therefore, phage therapies for infection are a promising treatment avenue, can provide a solution for antibiotic resistant bacterial infections, and have specified targeting of infectious bacteria while allowing the natural microbiome to survive which systemic antibiotics often wipe out. Many phages have well studied genomes that can be modified to change target, widen target range, or change mode of action of killing bacterial hosts. Phage delivery can also be designed to increase efficacy of treatment, including encapsulation and delivery via biopolymers. Increased research into phage potential for therapies can allow new avenues to develop to treat a larger range of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A Durr
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, University of Akron Ohio 44325 USA
| | - Nic D Leipzig
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, University of Akron Ohio 44325 USA
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, University of Akron Ohio 44325 USA
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8
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Khambhati K, Bhattacharjee G, Gohil N, Dhanoa GK, Sagona AP, Mani I, Bui NL, Chu DT, Karapurkar JK, Jang SH, Chung HY, Maurya R, Alzahrani KJ, Ramakrishna S, Singh V. Phage engineering and phage-assisted CRISPR-Cas delivery to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10381. [PMID: 36925687 PMCID: PMC10013820 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance ranks among the top threats to humanity. Due to the frequent use of antibiotics, society is facing a high prevalence of multidrug resistant pathogens, which have managed to evolve mechanisms that help them evade the last line of therapeutics. An alternative to antibiotics could involve the use of bacteriophages (phages), which are the natural predators of bacterial cells. In earlier times, phages were implemented as therapeutic agents for a century but were mainly replaced with antibiotics, and considering the menace of antimicrobial resistance, it might again become of interest due to the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance among pathogens. The current understanding of phage biology and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) assisted phage genome engineering techniques have facilitated to generate phage variants with unique therapeutic values. In this review, we briefly explain strategies to engineer bacteriophages. Next, we highlight the literature supporting CRISPR-Cas9-assisted phage engineering for effective and more specific targeting of bacterial pathogens. Lastly, we discuss techniques that either help to increase the fitness, specificity, or lytic ability of bacteriophages to control an infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushal Khambhati
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science Indrashil University Rajpur Mehsana Gujarat India
| | - Gargi Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science Indrashil University Rajpur Mehsana Gujarat India
| | - Nisarg Gohil
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science Indrashil University Rajpur Mehsana Gujarat India
| | - Gurneet K Dhanoa
- School of Life Sciences University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus Coventry United Kindgom
| | - Antonia P Sagona
- School of Life Sciences University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus Coventry United Kindgom
| | - Indra Mani
- Department of Microbiology Gargi College, University of Delhi New Delhi India
| | - Nhat Le Bui
- Center for Biomedicine and Community Health International School, Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Dinh-Toi Chu
- Center for Biomedicine and Community Health International School, Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam.,Faculty of Applied Sciences International School, Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam
| | | | - Su Hwa Jang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering Hanyang University Seoul South Korea.,Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute Hanyang University Seoul South Korea
| | - Hee Yong Chung
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering Hanyang University Seoul South Korea.,Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute Hanyang University Seoul South Korea.,College of Medicine Hanyang University Seoul South Korea
| | - Rupesh Maurya
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science Indrashil University Rajpur Mehsana Gujarat India
| | - Khalid J Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University Taif Saudi Arabia
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering Hanyang University Seoul South Korea.,College of Medicine Hanyang University Seoul South Korea
| | - Vijai Singh
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science Indrashil University Rajpur Mehsana Gujarat India
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9
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Azevedo MM, Pina-Vaz C, Rodrigues A. The role of phage therapy in burn wound infection management: advantages and pitfalls. J Burn Care Res 2021; 43:336-342. [PMID: 34523679 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irab175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Burn wound infections are often the source of bacteria responsible for systemic infections, including bloodstream infections and pneumonia that ultimately can result in multisystem organ failure and death. Any rapid change in the burn wound appearance or the clinical condition of the burn patient may herald burn wound infection or sepsis. The revival of phage therapy, either in single mode or in combination with conventional antibiotics may represent a valuable alternative, to treat specific bacterial infections such as burn wound infections, including those caused by multidrug resistant organisms. This systematic review addresses the: a) general characteristics of bacteriophages; b) activity of bacteriophages versus conventional antibiotics; c) activity of bacteriophages against biofilms; d) bacteriophage administration; and e) use of bacteriophages in burn wound infections. Although several scientific organizations/societies recognized that phage therapy could be of key value in modern wound care, specific aspects are critical for a burn surgeon and might represent pitfalls discouraging phage therapy adoption in burn wound management; in particular, the unavailability of consensual therapeutic guidelines/regulatory policies and the lack of laboratorial support that might be predictive of its efficacy. The availability of a product/formulation convenient to use, with adequate stability and shelf half-life is also a key condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Azevedo
- Department of Pathology and Center for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto.,Shool D. Maria II, Rua da Alegria, 4760-067 Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
| | - C Pina-Vaz
- Department of Pathology and Center for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto
| | - A Rodrigues
- Department of Pathology and Center for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto.,Physician, Burn Unit, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital São João, Porto
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10
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Formulation strategies for bacteriophages to target intracellular bacterial pathogens. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113864. [PMID: 34271022 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (Phages) are antibacterial viruses that are unaffected by antibiotic drug resistance. Many Phase I and Phase II phage therapy clinical trials have shown acceptable safety profiles. However, none of the completed trials could yield data supporting the promising observations noted in the experimental phage therapy. These trials have mainly focused on phage suspensions without enough attention paid to the stability of phage during processing, storage, and administration. This is important because in vivo studies have shown that the effectiveness of phage therapy greatly depends on the ratio of phage to bacterial concentrations (multiplicity of infection) at the infection site. Additionally, bacteria can evade phages through the development of phage-resistance and intracellular residence. This review focuses on the use of phage therapy against bacteria that survive within the intracellular niches. Recent research on phage behavior reveals that some phage can directly interact with, get internalized into, and get transcytosed across mammalian cells, prompting further research on the governing mechanisms of these interactions and the feasibility of harnessing therapeutic phage to target intracellular bacteria. Advances to improve the capability of phage attacking intracellular bacteria using formulation approaches such as encapsulating/conjugating phages into/with vector carriers via liposomes, polymeric particles, inorganic nanoparticles, and cell penetrating peptides, are summarized. While promising progress has been achieved, research in this area is still in its infancy and warrants further attention.
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11
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Alharbi NM, Ziadi MM. Wastewater as a fertility source for novel bacteriophages against multi-drug resistant bacteria. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:4358-4364. [PMID: 34354420 PMCID: PMC8324929 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a common and serious public health worldwide. As an alternative to antibiotics, bacteriophage (phage) therapy offers one of the best solutions to antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages survive where their bacterial hosts are found; thus, they exist in almost all environments and their applications are quite varied in the medical, environmental, and industrial fields. Moreover, a single phage or a mixture of phages can be used in phage therapy; mixed phages tend to be more effective in reducing the number and/or activity of pathogenic bacteria than that of a single phage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najwa M. Alharbi
- College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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12
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Lin EY, Adamson PC, Klausner JD. Epidemiology, Treatments, and Vaccine Development for Antimicrobial-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Current Strategies and Future Directions. Drugs 2021; 81:1153-1169. [PMID: 34097283 PMCID: PMC8182353 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-021-01530-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world after Chlamydia trachomatis. The pathogen has developed resistance to every antibiotic currently approved for treatment, and multidrug-resistant strains have been identified globally. The current treatment recommended by the World Health Organization is ceftriaxone and azithromycin dual therapy. However, resistance to azithromycin and ceftriaxone are increasing and treatment failures have been reported. As a result, there is a critical need to develop novel strategies for mitigating the spread of antimicrobial-resistant N. gonorrhoeae through improved diagnosis and treatment of resistant infections. Strategies that are currently being pursued include developing molecular assays to predict resistance, utilizing higher doses of ceftriaxone, repurposing older antibiotics, and developing newer agents. In addition, efforts to discover a vaccine for N. gonorrhoeae have been reignited in recent years with the cross-protectivity provided by the N. meningitidis vaccine, with several new strategies and targets. Despite the significant progress that has been made, there is still much work ahead to combat antimicrobial-resistant N. gonorrhoeae globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Y Lin
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul C Adamson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Ave. CHS 52-215, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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13
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Pinto AM, Silva MD, Pastrana LM, Bañobre-López M, Sillankorva S. The clinical path to deliver encapsulated phages and lysins. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:6204673. [PMID: 33784387 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The global emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens is shaping the current dogma regarding the use of antibiotherapy. Many bacteria have evolved to become resistant to conventional antibiotherapy, representing a health and economic burden for those afflicted. The search for alternative and complementary therapeutic approaches has intensified and revived phage therapy. In recent decades, the exogenous use of lysins, encoded in phage genomes, has shown encouraging effectiveness. These two antimicrobial agents reduce bacterial populations; however, many barriers challenge their prompt delivery at the infection site. Encapsulation in delivery vehicles provides targeted therapy with a controlled compound delivery, surpassing chemical, physical and immunological barriers that can inactivate and eliminate them. This review explores phages and lysins' current use to resolve bacterial infections in the respiratory, digestive, and integumentary systems. We also highlight the different challenges they face in each of the three systems and discuss the advances towards a more expansive use of delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mafalda Pinto
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, Braga 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Maria Daniela Silva
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, Braga 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Lorenzo M Pastrana
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, Braga 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Manuel Bañobre-López
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, Braga 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, Braga 4715-330, Portugal
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Sharov KS. SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia cases in pneumonia picture in Russia in March-May 2020: Secondary bacterial pneumonia and viral co-infections. J Glob Health 2020; 10:020504. [PMID: 33110587 PMCID: PMC7568231 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We are communicating the results of investigating statistics on SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonias in Russia: percentage, mortality, cases with other viral agents, cases accompanied by secondary bacterial pneumonias, age breakdown, clinical course and outcome. METHODS We studied two sampling sets (Set 1 and Set 2). Set 1 consisted of results of testing 3382 assays of out-patients and hospital patients (5-88 years old) with community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia of yet undetermined aetiology. Set 2 contained results of 1204 assays of hospital patients (12-94 years old) with pneumonia and COVID-19 already diagnosed by molecular biological techniques in test laboratories. The results were collected in twelve Russian cities/provinces in time range 2 March - 5 May 2020. Assays were analysed for 10 bacterial, 15 viral, 2 fungal and 2 parasitic aetiological agents. RESULTS In Set 1, 4.35% of total pneumonia cases were related to SARS-CoV-2, with substantially larger proportion (18.75%) of deaths of pneumonia with COVID-19 diagnosed. However, studying Set 2, we revealed that 52.82% patients in it were also positive for different typical and atypical aetiological agents usually causing pneumonia. 433 COVID-19 patients (35.96%) were tested positive for various bacterial aetiological agents, with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae infections accounting for the majority of secondary pneumonia cases. CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2, a low-pathogenic virus itself, becomes exceptionally dangerous if secondary bacterial pneumonia attacks a COVID-19 patient as a complication. An essential part of the severest complications and mortality associated with COVID-19 in Russia in March-May 2020, may be attributed to secondary bacterial pneumonia and to a much less extent viral co-infections. The problem of hospital-acquired bacterial infection is exceptionally urgent in treating SARS-CoV-2 patients. The risk of secondary bacterial pneumonia and its further complications, should be given very serious attention in combating SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin S Sharov
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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15
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Sharov KS. SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia cases in pneumonia picture in Russia in March-May 2020: Secondary bacterial pneumonia and viral co-infections. J Glob Health 2020. [PMID: 33110587 PMCID: PMC7568231 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.-020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We are communicating the results of investigating statistics on SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonias in Russia: percentage, mortality, cases with other viral agents, cases accompanied by secondary bacterial pneumonias, age breakdown, clinical course and outcome. Methods We studied two sampling sets (Set 1 and Set 2). Set 1 consisted of results of testing 3382 assays of out-patients and hospital patients (5-88 years old) with community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia of yet undetermined aetiology. Set 2 contained results of 1204 assays of hospital patients (12-94 years old) with pneumonia and COVID-19 already diagnosed by molecular biological techniques in test laboratories. The results were collected in twelve Russian cities/provinces in time range 2 March – 5 May 2020. Assays were analysed for 10 bacterial, 15 viral, 2 fungal and 2 parasitic aetiological agents. Results In Set 1, 4.35% of total pneumonia cases were related to SARS-CoV-2, with substantially larger proportion (18.75%) of deaths of pneumonia with COVID-19 diagnosed. However, studying Set 2, we revealed that 52.82% patients in it were also positive for different typical and atypical aetiological agents usually causing pneumonia. 433 COVID-19 patients (35.96%) were tested positive for various bacterial aetiological agents, with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae infections accounting for the majority of secondary pneumonia cases. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2, a low-pathogenic virus itself, becomes exceptionally dangerous if secondary bacterial pneumonia attacks a COVID-19 patient as a complication. An essential part of the severest complications and mortality associated with COVID-19 in Russia in March-May 2020, may be attributed to secondary bacterial pneumonia and to a much less extent viral co-infections. The problem of hospital-acquired bacterial infection is exceptionally urgent in treating SARS-CoV-2 patients. The risk of secondary bacterial pneumonia and its further complications, should be given very serious attention in combating SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin S Sharov
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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16
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Sheam MM, Syed SB, Nain Z, Tang SS, Paul DK, Ahmed KR, Biswas SK. Community-acquired pneumonia: aetiology, antibiotic resistance and prospects of phage therapy. J Chemother 2020; 32:395-410. [PMID: 32820711 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2020.1807231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria are the most common aetiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and use a variety of mechanisms to evade the host immune system. With the emerging antibiotic resistance, CAP-causing bacteria have now become resistant to most antibiotics. Consequently, significant morbimortality is attributed to CAP despite their varying rates depending on the clinical setting in which the patients being treated. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a safe and effective alternative or supplement to conventional antibiotics. Bacteriophages could be a ray of hope as they are specific in killing their host bacteria. Several bacteriophages had been identified that can efficiently parasitize bacteria related to CAP infection and have shown a promising protective effect. Thus, bacteriophages have shown immense possibilities against CAP inflicted by multidrug-resistant bacteria. This review provides an overview of common antibiotic-resistant CAP bacteria with a comprehensive summarization of the promising bacteriophage candidates for prospective phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Moinuddin Sheam
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh
| | - Shifath Bin Syed
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh
| | - Zulkar Nain
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh.,Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Swee-Seong Tang
- Division of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Dipak Kumar Paul
- Department of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh.,Central Laboratory, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh
| | - Kazi Rejvee Ahmed
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh
| | - Sudhangshu Kumar Biswas
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh.,Central Laboratory, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh
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Jones EH, Letarov AV, Clokie M. Neat Science in a Messy World: The Global Impact of Human Behavior on Phage Therapy, Past and Present. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2020; 1:16-22. [PMID: 36147613 PMCID: PMC9041452 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2019.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The scientific potential of bacteriophage (phage) therapy is gaining recognition in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, phages are not well understood by the general population in the West and this is a major barrier to phage therapy. This piece takes an interdisciplinary approach to public "acceptability," highlighting the significant impact that human behavior has had on the development of bacteriophage science to date, before addressing what current human factors might impact on the future exploitation of this scientific field. It argues that the history and status of phage therapy are not identical across the world, and that more understanding of different cultural attitudes in different places is essential. In addition, it argues that from a Western perspective, human issues relating to phage therapy make this science particularly susceptible to media hype and misunderstanding. Further study of the human dimensions is, therefore, crucial in any future development of phage therapy as a response to AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrey V. Letarov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology RC Biotechnology RAS, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Martha Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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18
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Melo LDR, Oliveira H, Pires DP, Dabrowska K, Azeredo J. Phage therapy efficacy: a review of the last 10 years of preclinical studies. Crit Rev Microbiol 2020; 46:78-99. [DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1729695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luís D. R. Melo
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Diana P. Pires
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Krystyna Dabrowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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19
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Pinto AM, Cerqueira MA, Bañobre-Lópes M, Pastrana LM, Sillankorva S. Bacteriophages for Chronic Wound Treatment: from Traditional to Novel Delivery Systems. Viruses 2020; 12:E235. [PMID: 32093349 PMCID: PMC7077204 DOI: 10.3390/v12020235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment and management of chronic wounds presents a massive financial burden for global health care systems, with significant and disturbing consequences for the patients affected. These wounds remain challenging to treat, reduce the patients' life quality, and are responsible for a high percentage of limb amputations and many premature deaths. The presence of bacterial biofilms hampers chronic wound therapy due to the high tolerance of biofilm cells to many first- and second-line antibiotics. Due to the appearance of antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant pathogens in these types of wounds, the research for alternative and complementary therapeutic approaches has increased. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy, discovered in the early 1900s, has been revived in the last few decades due to its antibacterial efficacy against antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates. Its use in the treatment of non-healing wounds has shown promising outcomes. In this review, we focus on the societal problems of chronic wounds, describe both the history and ongoing clinical trials of chronic wound-related treatments, and also outline experiments carried out for efficacy evaluation with different phage-host systems using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo animal models. We also describe the modern and most recent delivery systems developed for the incorporation of phages for species-targeted antibacterial control while protecting them upon exposure to harsh conditions, increasing the shelf life and facilitating storage of phage-based products. In this review, we also highlight the advances in phage therapy regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Pinto
- INL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (A.M.P.); (M.A.C.); (M.B.-L.); (L.M.P.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO—Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Miguel A. Cerqueira
- INL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (A.M.P.); (M.A.C.); (M.B.-L.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Manuel Bañobre-Lópes
- INL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (A.M.P.); (M.A.C.); (M.B.-L.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Lorenzo M. Pastrana
- INL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (A.M.P.); (M.A.C.); (M.B.-L.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- INL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (A.M.P.); (M.A.C.); (M.B.-L.); (L.M.P.)
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20
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Sevilla-Navarro S, Catalá-Gregori P, García C, Cortés V, Marin C. Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Enteritidis specific bacteriophages isolated form poultry faeces as a complementary tool for cleaning and disinfection against Salmonella. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 68:101405. [PMID: 31887484 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Salmonellosis represents an important public health concern. Several authors point out the inefficiency of the cleaning and disinfection protocols to remove the bacteria from the field. For this reason, innovative techniques, as bacteriophages, could be implemented to control the bacteria. The main objectives of this study were to assess the effect of bacteriophages against Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Enteritidis on farm surfaces, and to evaluate bacteriophage procedure application as sanitiser against Salmonella in field conditions. Thus, most prevalent serovars in poultry production were selected (Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Enteritidis) to contaminate farm facilities. Then, two specific bacteriophages isolated from poultry faeces were applied against them. Results showed Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Enteritidis decreased of 4.55 log10CFU/mL and 3.85 log10CFU/mL, respectively; the maximum reduction in Salmonella was the 5th day, after 108 PFU/mL and 103 PFU/mL bacteriophage application. These results highlight bacteriophages as a promising tool together with cleaning and disinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sevilla-Navarro
- Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana (CECAV), Calle Nules 16, 12539, Castellón, España; Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Avenida Seminario s/n, 46113, Moncada, España; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, España.
| | - P Catalá-Gregori
- Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana (CECAV), Calle Nules 16, 12539, Castellón, España; Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Avenida Seminario s/n, 46113, Moncada, España
| | - C García
- Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana (CECAV), Calle Nules 16, 12539, Castellón, España
| | - V Cortés
- Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana (CECAV), Calle Nules 16, 12539, Castellón, España
| | - C Marin
- Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Avenida Seminario s/n, 46113, Moncada, España
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21
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Barros JAR, Melo LDRD, Silva RARD, Ferraz MP, Azeredo JCVDR, Pinheiro VMDC, Colaço BJA, Fernandes MHR, Gomes PDS, Monteiro FJ. Encapsulated bacteriophages in alginate-nanohydroxyapatite hydrogel as a novel delivery system to prevent orthopedic implant-associated infections. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2019; 24:102145. [PMID: 31857183 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2019.102145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An innovative delivery system based on bacteriophages-loaded alginate-nanohydroxyapatite hydrogel was developed as a multifunctional approach for local tissue regeneration and infection prevention and control. Bacteriophages were efficiently encapsulated, without jeopardizing phage viability and functionality, nor affecting hydrogel morphology and chemical composition. Bacteriophage delivery occurred by swelling-disintegration-degradation process of the alginate structure and was influenced by environmental pH. Good tissue response was observed following the implantation of bacteriophages-loaded hydrogels, sustaining their biosafety profile. Bacteriophages-loaded hydrogels did not affect osteoblastic cells' proliferation and morphology. A strong osteogenic and mineralization response was promoted through the implantation of hydrogels system with nanohydroxyapatite. Lastly, bacteriophages-loaded hydrogel showed excellent antimicrobial activity inhibiting the attachment and colonization of multidrug-resistant E. faecalis surrounding and within femoral tissues. This new local delivery approach could be a promising approach to prevent and control bacterial contamination during implantation and bone integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Alberta Ribeiro Barros
- I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Luís Daniel Rodrigues de Melo
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Rita Araújo Reis da Silva
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism and Regeneration - Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Pia Ferraz
- FP-ENAS/CEBIMED - University Fernando Pessoa Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit/Biomedical Research Center, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | - Bruno Jorge Antunes Colaço
- Department of Animal Sciences, ECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maria Helena Raposo Fernandes
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism and Regeneration - Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro de Sousa Gomes
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism and Regeneration - Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Jorge Monteiro
- I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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22
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Monteiro R, Pires DP, Costa AR, Azeredo J. Phage Therapy: Going Temperate? Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:368-378. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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23
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Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage and its potential to disrupt multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Microb Pathog 2019; 128:329-336. [PMID: 30682523 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage, vB_PaeM_LS1, was isolated and characterized herein. To examine the eligibility of bacteriophage vB_PaeM_LS1 as a therapeutic bacteriophage, we analysed its genome and compared it to similar bacteriophages. Genome of bacteriophage vB_PaeM_LS1 consisted of a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule 66,095 bp in length and with 55.7% G + C content. Neighbor-joining analysis of the large subunit terminase showed that bacteriophage vB_PaeM_LS1 had similarity to the Pbunavirus genus. The potential of the lytic bacteriophage to disrupt Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms was assessed by scanning electron microscopy and bacterial counts. This study revealed that the bacteriophage vB_PaeM_LS1 with its lytic effect showed a high potential impact on the inhibition of the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation.
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24
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Milho C, Andrade M, Vilas Boas D, Alves D, Sillankorva S. Antimicrobial assessment of phage therapy using a porcine model of biofilm infection. Int J Pharm 2018; 557:112-123. [PMID: 30590127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistant bacterial communities persist in many types of wounds, chronic wounds in particular, in the form of biofilms. Biofilm formation is a major cause of severe infections and the main reason for a negative treatment outcome and slow healing progression. Chronic wounds are a silent epidemic essentially affecting people with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and obesity and elderly persons particularly those with movement limitations. The development of complementary and alternative effective strategies to antibiotics for the treatment of chronic wounds is highly desired. Phage therapy constitutes a very promising approach in the control of topical microbial populations. In this work newly isolated phages were tested for their efficacy to control bacterial species that predominate in chronic wounds. Phage effectiveness was studied on 24-h old biofilms formed in polystyrene microplates and in porcine skin explants using two treatment approaches: individual phage and a cocktail of phages against four main pathogens commonly isolated from chronic wounds. The two models produced variations in the surface colonization ability, assessed by viable bacterial counts and microscopy visualization after using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) or locked nucleic acid probes (LNA) and 2'-O-methyl (2'-OMe) in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and in the phage-host interactions. Phages alone and combined caused greater reductions in the number of viable cells when biofilms had been formed on porcine skins and with greater variations detected at 4 h and 24 h of sampling. These results suggest that porcine skin models should be preferentially used to assess the use of phages and phage cocktails intended for topical use in order to understand the fate, throughout treatment time, of the population when dealing with biofilm-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Milho
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - M Andrade
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - D Vilas Boas
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - D Alves
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - S Sillankorva
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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25
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da Silva Xavier A, da Silva FP, Vidigal PMP, Lima TTM, de Souza FO, Alfenas-Zerbini P. Genomic and biological characterization of a new member of the genus Phikmvvirus infecting phytopathogenic Ralstonia bacteria. Arch Virol 2018; 163:3275-3290. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-018-4006-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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26
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Thanki AM, Taylor-Joyce G, Dowah A, Nale JY, Malik D, Clokie MRJ. Unravelling the Links between Phage Adsorption and Successful Infection in Clostridium difficile. Viruses 2018; 10:E411. [PMID: 30082660 PMCID: PMC6116197 DOI: 10.3390/v10080411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a promising alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial pathogens, including Clostridiumdifficile. However, as for many species, in C. difficile the physical interactions between phages and bacterial cells have not been studied in detail. The initial interaction, known as phage adsorption, is initiated by the reversible attachment of phage tail fibers to bacterial cell surface receptors followed by an irreversible binding step. Therefore binding can dictate which strains are infected by the phage. In this study, we investigated the adsorption rates and irreversible binding of three C. difficile myoviruses: CDHM1, CDHM3 and CDHM6 to ten strains that represent ten prevalent C. difficile ribotypes, regardless of their ability to infect. CDHM1 and CDHM3 phage particles adsorbed by ~75% to some strains that they infected. The infection dynamics for CDHM6 are less clear and ~30% of the phage particles bound to all strains, irrespective of whether a successful infection was established. The data highlighted adsorption is phage-host specific. However, it was consistently observed that irreversible binding had to be above 80% for successful infection, which was also noted for another two C. difficile myoviruses. Furthermore, to understand if there is a relationship between infection, adsorption and phage tail fibers, the putative tail fiber protein sequences of CDHM1, CDHM3 and CDHM6 were compared. The putative tail fiber protein sequence of CDHM1 shares 45% homology at the amino acid level to CDHM3 and CDHM6, which are identical to each other. However, CDHM3 and CDHM6 display differences in adsorption, which highlights that there is no obvious relationship between putative tail fiber sequence and adsorption. The importance of adsorption and binding to successful infection is often overlooked, and this study provides useful insights into host-pathogen interactions within this phage-pathogen system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha Mahendra Thanki
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
| | | | - Ahmed Dowah
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Janet Yakubu Nale
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Danish Malik
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK.
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Natrajan Arumugam S, Chickamagalur Rudraradhya A, Sadagopan S, Sukumaran S, Sambasivam G, Ramesh N. Analysis of Susceptibility Patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Isolation, Characterization of Lytic Bacteriophages Targeting Multi Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.13005/bpj/1471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to be a major cause of Hospital Acquired Infections leading to high mortality in immune-compromised patients. Due to precipitous rise in antibiotic resistance, bacteriophages are significant alternative therapeutic approach for treatment and to combat resistance development. Objective of the current study was to identify MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa from clinical isolates and to isolate bacteriophages from sewage samples against these MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. One hundred and forty-four Pseudomonas isolates were tested for their susceptibility pattern with 13 different antibiotics by micro-broth dilution method. Frequency of multidrug resistant (MDR) and Extensive Drug resistant (XDR) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to be 35.5% and 23.6%, respectively. 7.61% isolates were identified as Pan drug resistant (PDR). Rate of susceptibility pattern were Piperacillin/Tazobactam 75%, Polymyxin B 74.6%, Meropenem 73.6%, Colistin 69.2%, Cefepime 54.9%, Ciprofloxacin 54.2%, Gentamicin 54.2%, Aztreonam 53.5%, Tobramycin 47.9%, Ticarcillin/Clavulanic acid 46.9%, Ertapenem 45.8%, Ceftazidime 40.3% and Imipenem 39.2%. Ninety-four bacteriophages were isolated from sewage samples against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1/ATCC9027/clinical strains and host range testing study was carried out with all MDR clinical isolates. Among 51 MDR strains 34 strains were infected by phages. Phage infectivity rate were calculated for individual phages based on their host range infectivity results. AP025 and AP006 phages exhibited good infectivity rate of 39% and 30% respectively against MDR strains. Combination of 5 phages (AP002, AP006, AP011, AP025 and AP067) lysed 62.7% of the strains. Based on the obtained results, phages could be employed for treatment of infections caused by MDR strains with substantiated in-vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nachimuthu Ramesh
- Antibiotic Resistance and Phage Therapy Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore Tamil Nadu, India
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28
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Antimicrobial effect of commercial phage preparation Stafal® on biofilm and planktonic forms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2018; 64:121-126. [PMID: 29923129 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-018-0622-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus may be a highly virulent human pathogen, especially when it is able to form a biofilm, and it is resistant to antibiotic. Infections caused by these bacteria significantly affect morbidity and mortality, primarily in hospitalized patients. Treatment becomes more expensive, more toxic, and prolonged. This is the reason why research on alternative therapies should be one of the main priorities of medicine and biotechnology. A promising alternative treatment approach is bacteriophage therapy. The effect of the anti-staphylococcal bacteriophage preparation Stafal® on biofilm reduction was assessed on nine S. aureus strains using both sonication with subsequent quantification of surviving cells on the catheter surface and evaluation of biofilm reduction in microtiter plates. It was demonstrated that the bacteriophages destroy planktonic cells very effectively. However, to destroy cells embedded in the biofilm effectively requires a concentration at least ten times higher than that provided by the commercial preparation. The catheter disc method (CDM) allowed easier comparison of the effect on planktonic cells and cells in a biofilm than the microtiter plate (MTP) method.
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29
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Abstract
For phage therapy-the treatment of bacterial infections using bacterial viruses-a key issue is the conflict between apparent ease of clinical application, on the one hand, and on the other hand, numerous difficulties that can be associated with undertaking preclinical development. These conflicts between achieving efficacy in the real world versus rigorously understanding that efficacy should not be surprising because equivalent conflicts have been observed in applied biology for millennia: exploiting the inherent, holistic tendencies of useful systems, e.g., of dairy cows, inevitably is easier than modeling those systems or maintaining effectiveness while reducing such systems to isolated parts. Trial and error alone, in other words, can be a powerful means toward technological development. Undertaking trial and error-based programs, especially in the clinic, nonetheless is highly dependent on those technologies possessing both inherent safety and intrinsic tendencies toward effectiveness, but in this modern era we tend to forget that ideally there would exist antibacterials which could be thus developed, that is, with tendencies toward both safety and effectiveness, and which are even relatively inexpensive. Consequently, we tend to demand rigor as well as expense of development even to the point of potentially squandering such utility, were it to exist. In this review I lay out evidence that in phage therapy such potential, in fact, does exist. Advancement of phage therapy unquestionably requires effective regulation as well as rigorous demonstration of efficacy, but after nearly 100 years of clinical practice, perhaps not as much emphasis on strictly laboratory-based proof of principle.
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30
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Forde A, Hill C. Phages of life - the path to pharma. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:412-418. [PMID: 29266197 PMCID: PMC5773946 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has encountered both enthusiasm and scepticism in the past century. New antimicrobial strategies against lethal pathogens are now a top priority for the World Health Organization, and although compassionate use of phages recently met with significant success, regulated clinical interventions seem unlikely in the near future. The hundredth anniversary of their discovery seems an appropriate time for a revival of phage therapy, particularly as the dilemma of antibiotic resistance grows. Phages are ubiquitous in the environment, on our food and in and on our bodies. Their influence on human health is currently being evaluated, and in this mini-review, we examine data from recent metagenomic studies that propose a role for phages in the structure of the microbiome and in health and disease. We assess evidence for phages as vehicles for gene transfer in the context of antibiotic resistance and discuss challenges and opportunities along the critical path from phage discovery to a patient-focused pharmaceutical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Forde
- APC Microbiome InstituteUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Colin Hill
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- APC Microbiome InstituteUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
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31
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Hua Y, Luo T, Yang Y, Dong D, Wang R, Wang Y, Xu M, Guo X, Hu F, He P. Phage Therapy as a Promising New Treatment for Lung Infection Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Mice. Front Microbiol 2018; 8:2659. [PMID: 29375524 PMCID: PMC5767256 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) which is noted as a major pathogen associated with healthcare-associated infections has steadily developed beyond antibiotic control. Lytic bacteriophages with the characteristics of infecting and lysing specific bacteria have been used as a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics to solve multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Here, we isolated A. baumannii-specific lytic phages and evaluated their potential therapeutic effect against lung infection caused by CRAB clinical strains. The combined lysis spectrum of four lytic phages' ranges was 87.5% (42 of 48) against CRAB clinical isolates. Genome sequence and analysis indicated that phage SH-Ab15519 is a novel phage which does not contain the virulence or antibiotic resistance genes. In vivo study indicated that phage SH-Ab15519 administered intranasally can effectively rescue mice from lethal A. baumannii lung infection without deleterious side effects. Our work explores the potential use of phages as an alternative therapeutic agent against the lung infection caused by CRAB strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfen Hua
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqi Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanjun Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengsha Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaokui Guo
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fupin Hu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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32
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Abstract
Correctly designed bacteriophage therapeutics are the cornerstone for a successful outcome of bacteriophage therapy. Here we overview strategies on how to choose bacteriophages and their bacterial hosts at different steps of a bacteriophage cocktail development in order to comply with all quality and safety requirements based on the already existing essentially empirical experience in bacteriophage therapy and current accomplishments in modern biomedical sciences. A modification of the classic Appelmans' method (1922) to assess stability of bacteriophage activity in liquid media is presented in order to improve the overall performance of therapeutic bacteriophages individually and collectively in the cocktail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, Brussels, 1120, Belgium.
| | - Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, Brussels, 1120, Belgium
| | - Daniel De Vos
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, Brussels, 1120, Belgium
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33
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Guo Z, Huang J, Yan G, Lei L, Wang S, Yu L, Zhou L, Gao A, Feng X, Han W, Gu J, Yang J. Identification and Characterization of Dpo42, a Novel Depolymerase Derived from the Escherichia coli Phage vB_EcoM_ECOO78. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1460. [PMID: 28824588 PMCID: PMC5539073 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation, one of the most important virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria, protects bacteria against desiccation, antibiotics, phages and host immune responses. However, phage-derived depolymerases show antibiofilm activity and demonstrate great potential to treat infections caused by biofilm-forming bacteria. In this study, the Escherichia coli phage vB_EcoM_ECOO78 was isolated and characterised, and we observed its ability to lyse five out of 34 tested E. coli clinical isolates. The highest phage titre was observed at a multiplicity of infection of 10-5 and a burst size of approximately 74 plaque forming units (PFU)/infection. Electron micrographs indicated that vB_EcoM_ECOO78 belongs to the family Myoviridae. The presence of increasing halos surrounding the lysis plaques formed by vB_EcoM_ECOO78 indicated that this phage may encode a depolymerase. Based on a sequencing analysis, the complete genome of vB_EcoM_ECOO78 was found to be 41,289 bp in size, with a GC content of 53.07%. Additionally, vB_EcoM_ECOO78 has 56 predicted open reading frames, 51 (91.07%) of which are assumed to be functional. A BLAST analysis indicated that ORF42 of vB_EcoM_ECOO78 (Dpo42) has low identity with other reported phage-associated depolymerases. Dpo42 was expressed and purified as a soluble protein using E. coli BL21. The biofilm formation ability of E. coli isolates and the antibiofilm activity of Dpo42 were tested by performing spot assays and using a 96-well micro-titre plate method. Dpo42 degraded the capsular polysaccharides surrounding E. coli and exhibited dose-dependent biofilm-formation prevention activity. Based on these results, Dpo42 appears to be a novel phage-derived depolymerase that represents a new potential strategy for preventing E. coli biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Guo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Guangmou Yan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Liancheng Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Ling Yu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Anchong Gao
- Agricultural Experiment Base, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Xin Feng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Wenyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Jingmin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Junling Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
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34
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Bacteriophages and Their Immunological Applications against Infectious Threats. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:3780697. [PMID: 28484722 PMCID: PMC5412166 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3780697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage therapy dates back almost a century, but the discovery of antibiotics led to a rapid decline in the interests and investments within this field of research. Recently, the novel threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria highlighted the alarming drop in research and development of new antibiotics: 16 molecules were discovered during 1983–87, 10 new therapeutics during the nineties, and only 5 between 2003 and 2007. Phages are therefore being reconsidered as alternative therapeutics. Phage display technique has proved to be extremely promising for the identification of effective antibodies directed against pathogens, as well as for vaccine development. At the same time, conventional phage therapy uses lytic bacteriophages for treatment of infections and recent clinical trials have shown great potential. Moreover, several other approaches have been developed in vitro and in vivo using phage-derived proteins as antibacterial agents. Finally, their use has also been widely considered for public health surveillance, as biosensor phages can be used to detect food and water contaminations and prevent bacterial epidemics. These novel approaches strongly promote the idea that phages and their proteins can be exploited as an effective weapon in the near future, especially in a world which is on the brink of a “postantibiotic era.”
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Cooper CJ, Khan Mirzaei M, Nilsson AS. Adapting Drug Approval Pathways for Bacteriophage-Based Therapeutics. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1209. [PMID: 27536293 PMCID: PMC4971087 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The global rise of multi-drug resistant bacteria has resulted in the notion that an "antibiotic apocalypse" is fast approaching. This has led to a number of well publicized calls for global funding initiatives to develop new antibacterial agents. The long clinical history of phage therapy in Eastern Europe, combined with more recent in vitro and in vivo success, demonstrates the potential for whole phage or phage based antibacterial agents. To date, no whole phage or phage derived products are approved for human therapeutic use in the EU or USA. There are at least three reasons for this: (i) phages possess different biological, physical, and pharmacological properties compared to conventional antibiotics. Phages need to replicate in order to achieve a viable antibacterial effect, resulting in complex pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics. (ii) The specificity of individual phages requires multiple phages to treat single species infections, often as part of complex cocktails. (iii) The current approval process for antibacterial agents has evolved with the development of chemically based drugs at its core, and is not suitable for phages. Due to similarities with conventional antibiotics, phage derived products such as endolysins are suitable for approval under current processes as biological therapeutic proteins. These criteria render the approval of phages for clinical use theoretically possible but not economically viable. In this review, pitfalls of the current approval process will be discussed for whole phage and phage derived products, in addition to the utilization of alternative approval pathways including adaptive licensing and "Right to try" legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum J Cooper
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammadali Khan Mirzaei
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders S Nilsson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University Stockholm, Sweden
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36
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Isolation and molecular characterisation of Achromobacter phage phiAxp-3, an N4-like bacteriophage. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24776. [PMID: 27094846 PMCID: PMC4837373 DOI: 10.1038/srep24776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter xylosoxidans, an opportunistic pathogen, is responsible for various nosocomial and community-acquired infections. We isolated phiAxp-3, an N4-like bacteriophage that infects A. xylosoxidans, from hospital waste and studied its genomic and biological properties. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that, with a 67-nm diameter icosahedral head and a 20-nm non-contractile tail, phiAxp-3 has features characteristic of Podoviridae bacteriophages (order Caudovirales). With a burst size of 9000 plaque-forming units and a latent period of 80 min, phiAxp-3 had a host range limited to only four A. xylosoxidans strains of the 35 strains that were tested. The 72,825 bp phiAxp-3 DNA genome, with 416-bp terminal redundant ends, contains 80 predicted open reading frames, none of which are related to virulence or drug resistance. Genome sequence comparisons place phiAxp-3 more closely with JWAlpha and JWDelta Achromobacter phages than with other N4 viruses. Using proteomics, we identified 25 viral proteins from purified phiAxp-3 particles. Notably, investigation of the phage phiAxp-3 receptor on the surface of the host cell revealed that lipopolysaccharide serves as the receptor for the adsorption of phage phiAxp-3. Our findings advance current knowledge about A. xylosoxidans phages in an age where alternative therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria are urgently needed.
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