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Phage-Antibiotic Synergy Inhibited by Temperate and Chronic Virus Competition
Kylie J Landa1, Lauren M Mossman1, Rachel J Whitaker2,3
1Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, 55057, USA.
Bulletin of Mathematical Biology
|March 22, 2022
Summary
Antibiotic resistance is rising, but virus competition can hinder treatment. Combining antibiotics with temperate viruses shows synergy, yet chronic viruses can impede bacterial control, potentially increasing bacterial load.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Rising antibiotic resistance necessitates alternative therapies like phage therapy.
- Previous research focused on antibiotic, phage, or combined efficacy, neglecting virus competition.
- The impact of virus-antibiotic interactions on bacterial infections remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the synergistic effects of antibiotics and two virus types (temperate and chronic) on bacterial infections.
- To investigate how virus competition influences antibiotic treatment efficacy.
- To understand the conditions under which antibiotic treatment might be counterproductive.
Main Methods:
- Mathematical modeling was employed to simulate bacterial infection dynamics.
- The model incorporated interactions between bacteria, antibiotics, temperate phages, and chronic phages.
- Simulations analyzed the impact of varying bacterial resistance levels and phage types on infection control.
Main Results:
- Combinations of antibiotics and temperate viruses demonstrated synergistic effects in controlling bacterial infections.
- Competition between temperate and chronic viruses was found to inhibit bacterial control when antibiotics were present.
- Antibiotic treatment, under specific conditions (high antibiotic resistance, presence of both phage types), can paradoxically increase bacterial load.
Conclusions:
- Virus-virus competition is a critical factor influencing the efficacy of combined antibiotic and phage therapy.
- The presence of chronic phages can negate the benefits of antibiotic and temperate phage synergy.
- Further research is needed to optimize phage therapy strategies by considering complex viral interactions.
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