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The Potential of Phage Therapy against the Emerging Opportunistic Pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Jaclyn G McCutcheon1, Jonathan J Dennis1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada.

Viruses
|July 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages offer a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections. Further research into in vivo phage therapy is crucial for clinical application.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Phage Therapy

Background:

  • Multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia causes increasing nosocomial and community-acquired infections.
  • Bacterial virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes contribute to infection severity.
  • Phage therapy presents a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical significance, virulence, and resistance mechanisms of S. maltophilia.
  • To summarize characterized bacteriophages targeting S. maltophilia.
  • To discuss current and future strategies for phage therapy against S. maltophilia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of S. maltophilia clinical significance, virulence, and resistance.
  • Compilation and characterization of S. maltophilia bacteriophages.
  • Analysis of existing in vitro and in vivo phage therapy studies.

Main Results:

  • S. maltophilia possesses significant virulence and resistance mechanisms.
  • Numerous bacteriophages targeting S. maltophilia have been isolated and characterized.
  • Limited in vivo studies exist, highlighting a gap in translational research.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophages are viable candidates for treating S. maltophilia infections.
  • Further in vivo studies are essential to advance phage therapy.
  • Phage therapy requires development to combat multidrug-resistant S. maltophilia.
Keywords:
Stenotrophomonas maltophiliaantibiotic resistancebacteriophagephage therapy

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