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Lin YH, Dharmaraj T, Chen Q, Echterhof A, Manasherob R, Zheng LJ, de Leeuw C, Peterson NA, Stannard W, Li Z, Hajfathalian M, Hargil A, Martinez HA, Wei Chang TH, Blankenberg FG, Amanatullah D, Chaudhuri O, Bollyky PL. Hydrogels for Local and Sustained Delivery of Bacteriophages to Treat Wound Infections. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.07.593005. [PMID: 38766200 PMCID: PMC11100690 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.07.593005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria, serving as a promising therapeutic to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( Pa ). However, delivering adequate concentrations of active phages directly to the infection site over sufficient times to eradicate infections remains an outstanding challenge to phage therapy (PT). Here we present "HydroPhage", a biocompatible hydrogel system for the sustained release of high-titre phages to effectively treat infections caused by MDR pathogens. We develop injectable hydrogels comprised of hyaluronic acid (HA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) crosslinked through static covalent thioether bonds and hemithioacetal-based dynamic covalent crosslinks (DCC), which encapsulate phages at concentration up to 10 11 PFU per mL gel, and achieve sustained release over a week with more than 60% total phage recovery. In a preclinical mouse model of extended wound infection, we demonstrate enhanced bacterial clearance compared to intravenous treatment. Thus, using hydrogels for local and sustained delivery of phage may represent an effective approach to eradicating MDR infections broadly.
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2
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Yates CR, Nguyen A, Liao J, Cheng RA. What's on a prophage: analysis of Salmonella spp. prophages identifies a diverse range of cargo with multiple virulence- and metabolism-associated functions. mSphere 2024; 9:e0003124. [PMID: 38775467 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00031-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The gain of mobile elements, such as prophages, can introduce cargo to the recipient bacterium that could facilitate its persistence in or expansion to a new environment, such as a host. While previous studies have focused on identifying and characterizing the genetic diversity of prophages, analyses characterizing the cargo that prophages carry have not been extensively explored. We characterized prophage regions from 303 Salmonella spp. genomes (representing 254 unique serovars) to assess the distribution of prophages in diverse Salmonella. On average, prophages accounted for 3.7% (0.1%-8.8%) of the total genomic content of each isolate. Prophage regions annotated as Gifsy 1 and Salmon Fels 1 were the most commonly identified intact prophages, suggesting that they are common throughout the Salmonella genus. Among 21,687 total coding sequences (CDSs) from intact prophage regions in subsp. enterica genomes, 7.5% (median; range: 1.1%-47.6%) were categorized as having a function not related to prophage integration or phage structure, some of which could potentially provide a functional attribute to the host Salmonella cell. These predicted functions could be broadly categorized into CDSs involved in: (i) modification of cell surface structures (i.e., glycosyltransferases); (ii) modulation of host responses (e.g., SodC/SodA, SopE, ArtAB, and typhoid toxin); (iii) conferring resistance to heavy metals and antimicrobials; (iv) metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and nucleotides; and (v) DNA replication, repair, and regulation. Overall, our systematic analysis of prophage cargo highlights a broader role for prophage cargo in influencing the metabolic, virulence, and resistance characteristics of Salmonella. IMPORTANCE Lysogenic bacteriophages (phages) can integrate their genome into a bacterial host's genome, potentially introducing genetic elements that can affect the fitness of the host bacterium. The functions of prophage-encoded genes are important to understand as these genes could be mobilized and transferred to a new host. Using a large genomic dataset representing >300 isolates from all known subspecies and species of Salmonella, our study contributes important new findings on the distribution of prophages and the types of cargo that diverse Salmonella prophages carry. We identified a number of coding sequences (CDSs) annotated as having cell surface-modifying attributes, suggesting that prophages may have played an important role in shaping Salmonella's diverse surface antigen repertoire. Furthermore, our characterization of prophages suggests that they play a broader role in facilitating the acquisition and transfer of CDSs associated with metabolism, DNA replication and repair, virulence factors, and to a lesser extent, antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline R Yates
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Anthony Nguyen
- Computational Modeling and Data Analytics Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Jingqiu Liao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Rachel A Cheng
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Khosravi A, Chen Q, Echterhof A, Koff JL, Bollyky PL. Phage Therapy for Respiratory Infections: Opportunities and Challenges. Lung 2024; 202:223-232. [PMID: 38772946 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-024-00700-7] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
We are entering the post-antibiotic era. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical problem in chronic lung infections resulting in progressive respiratory failure and increased mortality. In the absence of emerging novel antibiotics to counter AMR infections, bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria, have become a promising option for chronic respiratory infections. However, while personalized phage therapy is associated with improved outcomes in individual cases, clinical trials demonstrating treatment efficacy are lacking, limiting the therapeutic potential of this approach for respiratory infections. In this review, we address the current state of phage therapy for managing chronic respiratory diseases. We then discuss how phage therapy may address major microbiologic obstacles which hinder disease resolution of chronic lung infections with current antibiotic-based treatment practices. Finally, we highlight the challenges that must be addressed for successful phage therapy clinical trials. Through this discussion, we hope to expand on the potential of phages as an adjuvant therapy in chronic lung infections, as well as the microbiologic challenges that need to be addressed for phage therapy to expand beyond personalized salvage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Khosravi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 279 Campus Drive, Beckman Center, Room B237, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Qingquan Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Arne Echterhof
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan L Koff
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paul L Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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4
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Chen Q, Cai P, Chang THW, Burgener E, Kratochvil MJ, Gupta A, Hargill A, Secor PR, Nielsen JE, Barron AE, Milla C, Heilshorn SC, Spakowitz A, Bollyky PL. Pf bacteriophages hinder sputum antibiotic diffusion via electrostatic binding. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl5576. [PMID: 38820163 PMCID: PMC11141622 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl5576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Despite great progress in the field, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) infections remain a major cause of mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), necessitating treatment with antibiotics. Pf is a filamentous bacteriophage produced by Pa and acts as a structural element in Pa biofilms. Pf presence has been associated with antibiotic resistance and poor outcomes in pwCF, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We have investigated how Pf and sputum biopolymers impede antibiotic diffusion using pwCF sputum and fluorescent recovery after photobleaching. We demonstrate that tobramycin interacts with Pf and sputum polymers through electrostatic interactions. We also developed a set of mathematical models to analyze the complex observations. Our analysis suggests that Pf in sputum reduces the diffusion of charged antibiotics due to a greater binding constant associated with organized liquid crystalline structures formed between Pf and sputum polymers. This study provides insights into antibiotic tolerance mechanisms in chronic Pa infections and may offer potential strategies for novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingquan Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Pam Cai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Tony Hong Wei Chang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elizabeth Burgener
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Michael J. Kratochvil
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aditi Gupta
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aviv Hargill
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Patrick R. Secor
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Josefine Eilsø Nielsen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine & School of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Annelise E. Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine & School of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Carlos Milla
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sarah C. Heilshorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andy Spakowitz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Paul L. Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Chen Q, Cai P, Chang THW, Burgener E, Kratochvil MJ, Gupta A, Hargil A, Secor PR, Nielsen JE, Barron AE, Milla C, Heilshorn SC, Spakowitz A, Bollyky PL. Pf bacteriophages hinder sputum antibiotic diffusion via electrostatic binding. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.10.584330. [PMID: 38496625 PMCID: PMC10942440 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.10.584330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Despite great progress in the field, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis, necessitating treatment with inhaled antibiotics. Pf phage is a filamentous bacteriophage produced by Pa that has been reported to act as a structural element in Pa biofilms. Pf presence has been associated with resistance to antibiotics and poor outcomes in cystic fibrosis, though the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we have investigated how Pf phages and sputum biopolymers impede antibiotic diffusion using human sputum samples and fluorescent recovery after photobleaching. We demonstrate that tobramycin interacts with Pf phages and sputum polymers through electrostatic interactions. We also developed a set of mathematical models to analyze the complex observations. Our analysis suggests that Pf phages in sputum reduce the diffusion of charged antibiotics due to a greater binding constant associated with organized liquid crystalline structures formed between Pf phages and sputum polymers. This study provides insights into antibiotic tolerance mechanisms in chronic Pa infections and may offer potential strategies for novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingquan Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Pam Cai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Tony Hong Wei Chang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Elizabeth Burgener
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027
| | - Michael J. Kratochvil
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Aditi Gupta
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Aviv Hargil
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Patrick R. Secor
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, United States
| | - Josefine Eilsø Nielsen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine & School of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Annelise E. Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine & School of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Carlos Milla
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Sarah C. Heilshorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Andy Spakowitz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Paul L. Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
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Yarahmadi A, Afkhami H. The role of microbiomes in gastrointestinal cancers: new insights. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1344328. [PMID: 38361500 PMCID: PMC10867565 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1344328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute more than 33% of new cancer cases worldwide and pose a considerable burden on public health. There exists a growing body of evidence that has systematically recorded an upward trajectory in GI malignancies within the last 5 to 10 years, thus presenting a formidable menace to the health of the human population. The perturbations in GI microbiota may have a noteworthy influence on the advancement of GI cancers; however, the precise mechanisms behind this association are still not comprehensively understood. Some bacteria have been observed to support cancer development, while others seem to provide a safeguard against it. Recent studies have indicated that alterations in the composition and abundance of microbiomes could be associated with the progression of various GI cancers, such as colorectal, gastric, hepatic, and esophageal cancers. Within this comprehensive analysis, we examine the significance of microbiomes, particularly those located in the intestines, in GI cancers. Furthermore, we explore the impact of microbiomes on various treatment modalities for GI cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Additionally, we delve into the intricate mechanisms through which intestinal microbes influence the efficacy of GI cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aref Yarahmadi
- Department of Biology, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hamed Afkhami
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Echterhof A, Dharmaraj T, McBride R, Berry J, Hopkins M, Selvakumar H, Miesel L, Chia JH, Lin KY, Shen CC, Lee YL, Yeh YC, Liao WT, Suh G, Blankenberg FG, Frymoyer AR, Bollyky PL. The contribution of neutrophils to bacteriophage clearance and pharmacokinetics in vivo. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.25.577154. [PMID: 38328123 PMCID: PMC10849746 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.577154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
With the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections, there is great interest in using lytic bacteriophages (phages) to treat such infections. However, the factors that govern bacteriophage pharmacokinetics in vivo remain poorly understood. Here, we have examined the contribution of neutrophils, the most abundant phagocytes in the body, to the pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered bacteriophage in uninfected mice. A single dose of LPS-5, an antipseudomonal bacteriophage recently used in human clinical trials, was administered intravenously to both wild-type BALB/c and neutropenic ICR mice. Phage concentrations were assessed in peripheral blood and spleen at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after administration by plaque assay and qPCR. We observed that the phage clearance is only minimally affected by neutropenia. Indeed, the half-life of phages in blood in BALB/c and ICR mice is 3.45 and 3.66 hours, respectively. These data suggest that neutrophil-mediated phagocytosis is not a major determinant of phage clearance. Conversely, we observed a substantial discrepancy in circulating phage levels over time when measured by qPCR versus plaque assay, suggesting that substantial functional inactivation of circulating phages occurs over time. These data indicate that circulating factors, but not neutrophils, inactivate intravenously administered phages.
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8
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Moryl M, Różalski A, de Figueiredo JAP, Palatyńska-Ulatowska A. How Do Phages Disrupt the Structure of Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17260. [PMID: 38139094 PMCID: PMC10744153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417260] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are composed of multicellular communities of microbial cells and their self-secreted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The viruses named bacteriophages can infect and lyze bacterial cells, leading to efficient biofilm eradication. The aim of this study was to analyze how bacteriophages disrupt the biofilm structure by killing bacterial cells and/or by damaging extracellular polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA. The use of colorimetric and spectrofluorimetric methods and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) enabled a comprehensive assessment of phage activity against E. faecalis biofilms. The impact of the phages vB_Efa29212_2e and vB_Efa29212_3e was investigated. They were applied separately or in combination on 1-day and 7-day-old biofilms. Phages 2e effectively inhibited the growth of planktonic cells with a limited effect on the biofilm. They did not notably affect extracellular polysaccharides and proteins; however, they increased DNA levels. Phages 3e demonstrated a potent and dispersing impact on E. faecalis biofilms, despite being slightly less effective than bacteriophages 2e against planktonic cells. Phages 3e reduced the amount of extracellular polysaccharides and increased eDNA levels in both 1-day-old and 7-day-old biofilm cultures. Phage cocktails had a strong antimicrobial effect on both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria. A significant reduction in the levels of polysaccharides, proteins, and eDNA in 1-day-old biofilm samples was noted, which confirms that phages interfere with the structure of E. faecalis biofilm by killing bacterial cells and affecting extracellular polymer levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Moryl
- Department of Biology of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Antoni Różalski
- Department of Biology of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| | | | - Aleksandra Palatyńska-Ulatowska
- Department of Endodontics, Chair of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland;
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9
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Bradley JS, Hajama H, Akong K, Jordan M, Stout D, Rowe RS, Conrad DJ, Hingtgen S, Segall AM. Bacteriophage Therapy of Multidrug-resistant Achromobacter in an 11-Year-old Boy With Cystic Fibrosis Assessed by Metagenome Analysis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023; 42:754-759. [PMID: 37343220 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease associated with lung disease characterized by chronic pulmonary infection, increasingly caused by multiple drug-resistant pathogens after repeated antibiotic exposure, limiting antibiotic treatment options. Bacteriophages can provide a pathogen-specific bactericidal treatment used with antibiotics to improve microbiologic and clinical outcomes in CF. METHODS Achromobacter species isolates from sputum of a chronically infected person with CF, were assessed for susceptibility to bacteriophages: 2 highly active, purified bacteriophages were administered intravenously every 8 hours, in conjunction with a 14-day piperacillin/tazobactam course for CF exacerbation. Sputum and blood were collected for metagenome analysis during treatment, with sputum analysis at 1-month follow-up. Assessments of clinical status, pulmonary status and laboratory evaluation for safety were conducted. RESULTS Bacteriophage administration was well-tolerated, with no associated clinical or laboratory adverse events. Metagenome analysis documented an 86% decrease in the relative proportion of Achromobacter DNA sequence reads in sputum and a 92% decrease in blood, compared with other bacterial DNA reads, comparing pretreatment and posttreatment samples. Bacteriophage DNA reads were detected in sputum after intravenous administration during treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. Reversal of antibiotic resistance to multiple antibiotics occurred in some isolates during treatment. Stabilization of lung function was documented at 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Bacteriophage/antibiotic treatment decreased the host pulmonary bacterial burden for Achromobacter assessed by metagenome analysis of sputum and blood, with ongoing bacteriophage replication documented in sputum at 1-month follow-up. Prospective controlled studies are needed to define the dose, route of administration and duration of bacteriophage therapy for both acute and chronic infection in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Bradley
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego, and Rady Children's Hospital
| | - Hamza Hajama
- Department of Biology and Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University
| | - Kathryn Akong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, and Rady Children's Hospital
| | - Mary Jordan
- Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Clinical Research
| | - Dayna Stout
- Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Clinical Research
| | - Ryan S Rowe
- Department of Biology and Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University
| | - Douglas J Conrad
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Sara Hingtgen
- Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Clinical Research
| | - Anca M Segall
- Department of Biology and Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University
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10
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Haddock NL, Barkal LJ, Bollyky PL. Bacteriophage populations mirror those of bacterial pathogens at sites of infection. mSystems 2023; 8:e0049723. [PMID: 37526425 PMCID: PMC10469793 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00497-23] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, viruses that parasitize bacteria, are known to be abundant at sites of bacterial colonization, but the relationship between phages and bacteria at sites of infection is unclear. Bacteriophages are highly specific to their bacterial host species, and so we hypothesize that phage populations would mirror those of bacterial pathogens within infected tissues. To test this, here we study publicly available cell-free DNA (cfDNA) generated using next-generation sequencing of infected bodily fluids, including urine, joint fluid, peritoneal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and abscess fluid, as well as uninfected control samples. These were analyzed using a computational pipeline for identifying bacteriophage sequences in cfDNA. We find that bacteriophage sequences are present in both infected and uninfected bodily fluids and represent a variety of bacteriophage morphologies and bacterial hosts. Additionally, phages from Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus are overrepresented both in terms of proportion and diversity in fluids infected with these same pathogens. These data indicate that phages reflect the relative abundance of their bacterial hosts at sites of infection. Bacteriophage sequences may help inform future investigative and diagnostic approaches that utilize cell-free DNA to study the microbiome within infected tissues. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages are an active area of investigation in microbiome research, but most studies have focused on phage populations at sites of bacterial colonization. Little is known about bacteriophage ecology at sites of active infection. To address this gap in knowledge, we utilized a publicly available data set to study bacteriophage populations in cell-free DNA collected from sites of infection. We find that phages reflect the relative abundance of their bacterial hosts at sites of infection. These studies may lead to future investigative and diagnostic approaches that incorporate phages as well as bacterial cell-free DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. L. Haddock
- Immunology Program, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - L. J. Barkal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - P. L. Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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11
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Rose TFA, Kannan P, Ruban SW, Srinivas K, Milton AAP, Ghatak S, Elango A, Rajalakshmi S, Sundaram S. Isolation, susceptibility profiles and genomic analysis of a colistin-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky strain COL-R. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:140. [PMID: 37124985 PMCID: PMC10133420 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03559-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky is a frequent cause for clinical infections in human patients. They are isolated and reported with multidrug resistance from the foods of animal origin from various countries. However, studies inferring the colistin resistance are limited. Hence, the current study reports the genetic factors and genomic analysis of the colistin-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky strain COL-R for better understanding of its pathogenic potential and phylogenetic relatedness. The S. Kentucky strain COL-R was successfully isolated from chicken meat during ongoing surveillance of food of animal origin. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed resistance to cefoxitin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and most disturbingly to ciprofloxacin and colistin (broth microdilution method). Whole-genome sequence of the COL-R strain was subjected to various in silico analysis to identify the virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance genes, pathogenicity islands and sequence type. The S. Kentucky COL-R strain belonged to sequence type (ST) 198 with a high probability (0.943) of being a human pathogen. Besides presence of integrated phage in the S. Kentucky COL-R genome, 38 genes conferring resistance to various antimicrobials and disinfectants were also identified. Nucleotide Polymorphism analysis indicated triple mutations in gyrA and parC genes conferring fluoroquinolone resistance. Phylogenomic analysis with 31 other S. Kentucky genomes revealed discernible clusters with S. Kentucky COL-R strain latching onto a cluster of high diversity (geographic location and isolation sources). Taken together, our results document the first occurrence of colistin resistance in a fluoroquinolone resistant S. Kentucky COL-R strain isolated from retail chicken and provide crucial information on the genomic features of the strain. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03559-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. F. Amal Rose
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai, 600007 India
| | - Porteen Kannan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai, 600007 India
| | - S. Wilfred Ruban
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, 560024 India
| | - Kandhan Srinivas
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122 India
- Division of Animal and Fisheries Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, 793103 India
| | | | - Sandeep Ghatak
- Division of Animal and Fisheries Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, 793103 India
| | - A. Elango
- Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Salem, 636112 India
| | - S. Rajalakshmi
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai, 600007 India
| | - Sureshkannan Sundaram
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai, 600007 India
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12
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Karczewska M, Strzelecki P, Szalewska-Pałasz A, Nowicki D. How to Tackle Bacteriophages: The Review of Approaches with Mechanistic Insight. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054447. [PMID: 36901878 PMCID: PMC10003480 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage-based applications have a renaissance today, increasingly marking their use in industry, medicine, food processing, biotechnology, and more. However, phages are considered resistant to various harsh environmental conditions; besides, they are characterized by high intra-group variability. Phage-related contaminations may therefore pose new challenges in the future due to the wider use of phages in industry and health care. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the current knowledge of bacteriophage disinfection methods, as well as highlight new technologies and approaches. We discuss the need for systematic solutions to improve bacteriophage control, taking into account their structural and environmental diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Karczewska
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Patryk Strzelecki
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
- Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR7504, 23 rue du Loess, CEDEX 2, F-67034 Strasbourg, France
| | - Agnieszka Szalewska-Pałasz
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dariusz Nowicki
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-523-6065
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Abedon ST. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of Hindering Phage Therapy: The Phage Tolerance vs. Phage Resistance of Bacterial Biofilms. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:245. [PMID: 36830158 PMCID: PMC9952518 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
As with antibiotics, we can differentiate various acquired mechanisms of bacteria-mediated inhibition of the action of bacterial viruses (phages or bacteriophages) into ones of tolerance vs. resistance. These also, respectively, may be distinguished as physiological insensitivities (or protections) vs. resistance mutations, phenotypic resistance vs. genotypic resistance, temporary vs. more permanent mechanisms, and ecologically vs. also near-term evolutionarily motivated functions. These phenomena can result from multiple distinct molecular mechanisms, many of which for bacterial tolerance of phages are associated with bacterial biofilms (as is also the case for the bacterial tolerance of antibiotics). The resulting inhibitions are relevant from an applied perspective because of their potential to thwart phage-based treatments of bacterial infections, i.e., phage therapies, as well as their potential to interfere more generally with approaches to the phage-based biological control of bacterial biofilms. In other words, given the generally low toxicity of properly chosen therapeutic phages, it is a combination of phage tolerance and phage resistance, as displayed by targeted bacteria, that seems to represent the greatest impediments to phage therapy's success. Here I explore general concepts of bacterial tolerance of vs. bacterial resistance to phages, particularly as they may be considered in association with bacterial biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T Abedon
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Mansfield, OH 44906, USA
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Zaki BM, Fahmy NA, Aziz RK, Samir R, El-Shibiny A. Characterization and comprehensive genome analysis of novel bacteriophage, vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p, with lytic and anti-biofilm potential against clinical multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1077995. [PMID: 36756618 PMCID: PMC9901506 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1077995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The rise of infections by antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is alarming. Among these, Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of death by hospital-acquired infections, and its multidrug-resistant strains are flagged as a global threat to human health, which necessitates finding novel antibiotics or alternative therapies. One promising therapeutic alternative is the use of virulent bacteriophages, which specifically target bacteria and coevolve with them to overcome potential resistance. Here, we aimed to discover specific bacteriophages with therapeutic potential against multiresistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates. Methods and Results Out of six bacteriophages that we isolated from urban and medical sewage, phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p had the broadest host range and was thus characterized in detail. Transmission electron microscopy suggests vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p to be a tailed phage of the siphoviral morphotype. In vitro evaluation indicated a high lytic efficiency (30 min latent period and burst size of ∼100 PFU/cell), and extended stability at temperatures up to 70°C and a wide range of (2-12) pH. Additionally, phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p possesses antibiofilm activity that was evaluated by the crystal violet assay and was not cytotoxic to human skin fibroblasts. The whole genome was sequenced and annotated, uncovering one tRNA gene and 33 genes encoding proteins with assigned functions out of 85 predicted genes. Furthermore, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis suggest that vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p most likely represents a new species, but belongs to the same genus as Klebsiella phages ZCKP8 and 6691. Comprehensive genomic and bioinformatics analyses substantiate the safety of the phage and its strictly lytic lifestyle. Conclusion Phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p is a novel phage with potential to be used against biofilm-forming K. pneumoniae and could be a promising source for antibacterial and antibiofilm products, which will be individually studied experimentally in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishoy Maher Zaki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), 6th of October, Giza, Egypt,Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nada A. Fahmy
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ramy Karam Aziz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Center for Genome and Microbiome Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Microbiology and Immunology Research Program, Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Center for Genome and Microbiome Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,*Correspondence: Reham Samir, ; Ayman El-Shibiny,
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt,Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish, Egypt,*Correspondence: Reham Samir, ; Ayman El-Shibiny,
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