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Isolation and Molecular Characterization of a Novel Lytic Bacteriophage That Inactivates MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae

Victor M Balcão1,2, Fernanda C Moreli1, Erica C Silva1

  • 1PhageLab, Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba 18023-000, Brazil.

Pharmaceutics
|July 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

A new lytic bacteriophage, Kpn31, was isolated to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. This phage demonstrated effectiveness against multiple MDR K. pneumoniae strains in vitro, showing potential as a novel therapeutic agent.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Rising global infections from multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae necessitate novel treatment strategies.
  • Bacteriophage therapy is gaining traction as a potential alternative to antibiotics for MDR bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize a novel lytic bacteriophage effective against MDR K. pneumoniae.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the isolated phage against clinical MDR K. pneumoniae isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of bacteriophage from hospital wastewater using K. pneumoniae as the host.
  • Comprehensive physical, biological, and molecular characterization, including genome sequencing and replication kinetics.
  • In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity against multiple MDR K. pneumoniae clinical isolates.

Main Results:

  • A novel siphovirus-like lytic phage, designated vB_KpnS_Uniso31 (phage Kpn31), was successfully isolated and characterized.
  • Phage Kpn31 possesses a 113,444 bp genome without genes for toxins or antimicrobial resistance.
  • Phage Kpn31 exhibited efficient replication in K. pneumoniae and demonstrated significant in vitro efficacy against six MDR K. pneumoniae clinical isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Phage Kpn31 is a promising candidate for the development of phage-based therapies against MDR K. pneumoniae infections.
  • The characterized phage offers a potential new avenue for controlling challenging bacterial pathogens.
Keywords:
DemerecviridaeKlebsiella pneumoniaeSugarlandvirusantibacterial phage activitybacteriophage

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