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Efficacy of bacteriophage treatment on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
Alysen Phee1, Joe Bondy-Denomy, Anil Kishen
1Discipline of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Introduction:
Bacterial viruses (phages) have been used successfully in the treatment of animal and human bacterial infections. This study examined the potential use of phage therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 biofilms in a root canal model.
Methods:
Part 1: The 24-hour and 96-hour PA14 biofilms grown in microplates were treated with phages identified as possessing potential biofilm-degrading activities, and the post-treatment bacterial biomass was quantified by using crystal violet staining. Part 2: The 24-hour and 96-hour PA14 biofilms grown in prepared root canals of extracted human mandibular incisors were treated with phages identified with potential biofilm-degrading activities. Post-treatment intracanal samples were taken by using paper points and round burs to assess phage and bacterial counts.
Results:
Part 1: We identified 2 phages (JBD4 and JBD44a) with putative biofilm-degrading activities. Treatment of PA14 biofilms with these phages produced a significant reduction in the mean percentage of biomass in 24-hour (P< .05) and 96-hour (P= .08) biofilms. Part 2: In 24-hour and 96-hour PA14 biofilms in a root canal model, no significant difference was found in the number of colony-forming units after phage treatment (P> .05).
Conclusions:
Phage application significantly reduced the biomass of 24-hour and 96-hour PA14 biofilms grown on microplates but did not produce significant reduction of 24-hour or 96-hour PA14 biofilms grown in the extracted tooth model.
Insights
Phage therapy effectively reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 biofilms in lab tests. However, this bacterial virus treatment showed no significant effect on PA14 biofilms within a root canal model.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Background:
- Bacterial viruses, or phages, are effective in treating bacterial infections in humans and animals.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen that forms biofilms, which are difficult to eradicate.
- Phage therapy offers a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating persistent bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of phage therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 biofilms.
- To evaluate phage treatment in both in vitro microplate and in vivo root canal models.
Main Methods:
- Two phages with biofilm-degrading activity were identified.
- PA14 biofilms grown in microplates were treated with phages, and biomass was quantified.
- PA14 biofilms in human root canals were treated with phages, and bacterial counts were assessed.
Main Results:
- Phage treatment significantly reduced PA14 biofilm biomass in microplate assays.
- No significant reduction in PA14 biofilm counts was observed in the root canal model after phage treatment.
Conclusions:
- Phage therapy shows promise for reducing bacterial biofilms in vitro.
- Further research is needed to optimize phage therapy for clinical applications in complex environments like root canals.
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