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Adapted Bacteriophages for Treating Urinary Tract Infections
Aleksandre Ujmajuridze1, Nina Chanishvili2, Marina Goderdzishvili2
1The Alexander Tsulukidze National Center of Urology, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 23, 2018
Summary
Bacteriophage therapy shows promise for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs). Adapted bacteriophages were safe and effective in a pilot study, warranting further clinical trials for this antibiotic alternative.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Therapeutics
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, with rising antibiotic resistance necessitating new treatments.
- Bacteriophage therapy is a potential alternative, but requires more clinical evidence, especially randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility, tolerability, safety, and outcomes of bacteriophage therapy for UTIs.
- To pilot a double-blind RCT by assessing bacteriophage adaptation and treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- A two-phase study involving bacteriophage adaptation and treatment with Pyo bacteriophage.
- Screened 130 patients for UTIs, enrolling 118 with specific uropathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis).
- Assessed in vitro sensitivity to Pyo bacteriophage, then adapted it to enhance efficacy before treating nine patients.
Main Results:
- Initial Pyo bacteriophage sensitivity was 41%, increasing to 75% after adaptation.
- In nine treated patients, six (67%) showed a 1-5 log decrease in bacterial titer.
- No bacteriophage-associated adverse events were observed.
Conclusions:
- Adapted bacteriophage therapy appears safe and potentially effective for treating UTIs.
- Further well-designed RCTs are crucial to confirm bacteriophage therapy's role in managing UTIs.
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