Therapeutic Potential of a Novel Lytic Phage, vB_EclM_ECLFM1, against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Genomics

Background:

• The rise of multidrug-resistant Enterobacter cloacae, particularly carbapenem-resistant strains producing metallo-β-lactamases, presents a significant clinical challenge.
• Limited treatment options exacerbate the threat posed by these resistant bacteria.
• Bacteriophage therapy offers a promising alternative, but its application is constrained by resource limitations and a lack of genomic data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel bacteriophage effective against multidrug-resistant Enterobacter cloacae.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the isolated bacteriophage in a preclinical model.
• To contribute genomic data for the development of phage-based treatments.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of bacteriophage ECLFM1 from sewage water using a carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae clinical isolate as the host.
• Characterization of phage adsorption, latent period, and burst size.
• Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to determine phage identity and genomic features.
• In vivo therapeutic efficacy assessment in a zebrafish model of Enterobacter cloacae infection.

Main Results:

• Isolation of a novel Enterobacter cloacae phage, designated ECLFM1, with rapid adsorption and a 15-minute latent period.
• ECLFM1 possesses a genome of 172,036 bp and belongs to the Karamvirus genus.
• Phage therapy with ECLFM1 significantly increased survival rates in zebrafish infected with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae at a high multiplicity of infection.

Conclusions:

• ECLFM1 is a promising candidate for therapeutic applications against clinical Enterobacter cloacae infections.
• This study addresses the need for alternative treatments against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.
• The characterization and genomic data of ECLFM1 contribute to the advancement of phage therapy resources.