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Potential of an Isolated Bacteriophage to Inactivate Klebsiella pneumoniae: Preliminary Studies to Control Urinary
João Duarte1, Carolina Máximo1, Pedro Costa1
1CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
Abstract:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae can lead to severe clinical complications and even death. An alternative treatment option for infected patients is using bacteriophages. In the present study, we isolated phage VB_KPM_KP1LMA (KP1LMA) from sewage water using a K. pneumoniae strain as a host. Whole-genome analysis indicated that the genome was a double-stranded linear 176,096-bp long DNA molecule with 41.8% GC content and did not contain virulence or antibiotic resistance genes. The inactivation potential of phage KP1LMA was assessed in broth at an MOI of 1 and 10, and a maximum inactivation of 4.9 and 5.4 log CFU/mL, respectively, was observed after 9 h. The efficacy at an MOI of 10 was also assessed in urine to evaluate the phage's performance in an acidic environment. A maximum inactivation of 3.8 log CFU/mL was observed after 9 h. The results suggest that phage KP1LMA could potentially control a UTI caused by this strain of K. pneumoniae, indicating that the same procedure can be used to control UTIs caused by other strains if new specific phages are isolated. Although phage KP1LMA has a narrow host range, in the future, efforts can be made to expand its spectrum of activity and also to combine this phage with others, potentially enabling its use against other K. pneumoniae strains involved in UTIs.
Insights
Bacteriophages offer a novel treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Phage KP1LMA effectively reduced bacterial load in broth and urine, showing potential for UTI management.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a significant threat, leading to severe clinical outcomes.
- Bacteriophage therapy presents a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics for treating bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a bacteriophage effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the isolated phage KP1LMA in controlling Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro and in urine.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacteriophage KP1LMA from sewage using Klebsiella pneumoniae as a host.
- Whole-genome sequencing of the isolated phage to assess genetic properties.
- In vitro inactivation assays in broth and urine at various multiplicities of infection (MOI).
Main Results:
- Phage KP1LMA possesses a double-stranded linear DNA genome without virulence or antibiotic resistance genes.
- Significant bacterial inactivation was observed in broth (up to 5.4 log CFU/mL) and urine (up to 3.8 log CFU/mL) within 9 hours.
- The phage demonstrated efficacy even in an acidic urine environment.
Conclusions:
- Phage KP1LMA shows potential as a therapeutic agent for urinary tract infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- Further research can focus on expanding the phage's host range and combining it with other phages for broader efficacy.
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