Bacteriophages of Klebsiella spp., their diversity and potential therapeutic uses

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Klebsiella species are common human commensals and a major cause of hospital-acquired infections.
• Increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae and emerging Klebsiella oxytoca necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
• Resistance to last-resort antibiotics like colistin highlights the urgent need for alternative treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on bacteriophages (phages) targeting Klebsiella species.
• To highlight the potential of phages and their products as alternatives or adjuncts to conventional antimicrobial therapies.
• To identify technological and biological challenges in developing phage-based treatments for Klebsiella infections.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on Klebsiella-infecting phages.
• Analysis of available genomic data for Klebsiella phages.
• Synthesis of findings from in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating phage efficacy.

Main Results:

• Lytic bacteriophages demonstrate significant potential in combating MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in vitro and in vivo.
• A large and growing number of Klebsiella phage genomes are available, revealing significant genomic heterogeneity.
• Phages and their gene products are emerging as viable alternatives to traditional antibiotics.

Conclusions:

• Bacteriophage therapy presents a promising alternative for treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant Klebsiella.
• Further research and technological advancements are crucial to overcome challenges in developing robust phage-based therapies.
• Phage therapy offers a potential solution to the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella infections.