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Indirect Selection against Antibiotic Resistance via Specialized Plasmid-Dependent Bacteriophages

Reetta Penttinen1,2, Cindy Given1, Matti Jalasvuori1

  • 1Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9C, P.O.Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland.

Microorganisms
|February 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Plasmid-dependent bacteriophages can combat antibiotic resistance by eliminating plasmids from bacteria. These specialized viruses offer a novel strategy to enhance current antibiotic treatments against multi-drug resistant pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Virology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance genes in Gram-negative pathogens are often located on mobile genetic elements like conjugative plasmids.
  • Continuous antimicrobial use selects for plasmids carrying multiple resistance genes, accelerating resistance.
  • Plasmid-dependent bacteriophages specifically infect bacteria harboring certain plasmids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on plasmid-dependent bacteriophages.
  • To explore their potential in combating antibiotic resistance.
  • To assess their role in enhancing conventional antibiotic therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on plasmid-dependent bacteriophages.
  • Analysis of their mechanisms of action against plasmids.
  • Evaluation of their therapeutic potential in combating antimicrobial resistance.

Main Results:

  • Plasmid-dependent phages can reduce plasmid load in bacterial communities.
  • They can induce mutations rendering remaining plasmids untransferable.
  • This leads to the loss of multiple antibiotic resistance genes.
  • Phage therapy is emerging as a viable option for multi-resistant infections.

Conclusions:

  • Plasmid-dependent bacteriophages represent a promising tool to combat antibiotic resistance.
  • They can be utilized to disarm antibiotic resistance elements, not specific strains.
  • This approach could extend the efficacy of existing antibiotic treatments.
Keywords:
antibiotic resistancebacteriophagesconjugative plasmidsmale-specificpilus-bindingplasmid-dependent

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