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Bacteriophage therapy of Salmonella enterica: a fresh appraisal of bacteriophage therapy

Rosanna Capparelli1, Nunzia Nocerino, Marco Iannaccone

  • 1Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|November 26, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Bacteriophage therapy faces criticism, but research shows phages remain active longer than expected. Importantly, phage-resistant bacteria offer potential as vaccines against Salmonella infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bacteriophage therapy is criticized for inducing neutralizing antibodies, limited activity duration, and rapid emergence of resistant bacteria.
  • These criticisms pose significant challenges to the clinical application of phage therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the validity of common criticisms against bacteriophage therapy.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and host-pathogen dynamics in a mouse model.

Main Methods:

  • Isolated phages lytic for Salmonella enterica serovars from human feces.
  • Developed a phage-resistant Salmonella strain (Salp572(phi1R)) and compared its properties to the wild-type (Salp572(phi1S)) in a mouse infection model.
  • Studied antibody response and bacterial persistence in vivo.

Main Results:

  • Phages induced non-neutralizing antibodies and remained active for at least two weeks post-infection in mice.
  • Phage-resistant bacteria exhibited reduced virulence and short survival in vivo.
  • Crucially, phage-resistant Salmonella strains demonstrated significant potential as vaccines, protecting against lethal challenge with other Salmonella serovars.

Conclusions:

  • The study challenges established criticisms of bacteriophage therapy.
  • Phage-resistant bacteria may have therapeutic applications, such as vaccine development.
  • Further assessment of bacteriophage therapy's effectiveness is warranted.

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