Bacteriophage-derived depolymerase: a review on prospective antibacterial agents to combat Klebsiella pneumoniae
Xin Jiao1, Menglu Wang1, Yanxia Liu1,2
1School of Medical Laboratory, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes mucosal surfaces and is a common cause of nosocomial infections. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in K. pneumoniae, particularly carbapenem-resistant strains, poses a significant threat to human health, with high mortality rates and healthcare costs. Another major problem is that hypervirulent K. pneumoniae tends to form biofilms. Bacteriophage-derived depolymerases, a class of enzymes that degrade diverse bacterial surface carbohydrates, have been exploited as antibiofilm and antimicrobial adjuvants because of their high stability, specificity, strong antimicrobial activity, and low incidence of bacterial resistance. This review presents a summary of the structure and properties of depolymerase, as well as an overview of both in vitro and in vivo studies of depolymerase therapy for multidrug-resistant or biofilm-forming K. pneumoniae infections. These studies employed a range of approaches, including utilizing a single depolymerase or combinations of depolymerase and phages or antibiotics. Furthermore, this review outlines the current challenges facing depolymerase therapy and potential future approaches for treating K. pneumoniae infections.
Insights
Bacteriophage depolymerases show promise in combating drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. These enzymes effectively degrade biofilms and offer a novel therapeutic strategy against challenging bacterial pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections, with rising antimicrobial resistance, especially carbapenem resistance.
- Hypervirulent strains of K. pneumoniae frequently form biofilms, complicating treatment and increasing infection severity.
- Bacteriophage-derived depolymerases offer a potential solution due to their stability, specificity, and ability to combat bacterial resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure, properties, and therapeutic applications of depolymerases against Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- To summarize in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating depolymerase efficacy in treating multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming K. pneumoniae.
- To identify current challenges and future directions for depolymerase-based therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on bacteriophage depolymerases and their activity against K. pneumoniae.
- Analysis of research employing single depolymerases, combinations with phages, or antibiotics.
- Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo experimental data on depolymerase efficacy.
Main Results:
- Depolymerases demonstrate strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against K. pneumoniae.
- Therapeutic strategies include single depolymerase use or combinations with phages and antibiotics.
- Studies show depolymerases are effective against multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming strains.
Conclusions:
- Depolymerase therapy presents a promising strategy for treating challenging Klebsiella pneumoniae infections.
- Further research is needed to address current challenges and optimize depolymerase-based treatments.
- Depolymerases offer a novel approach with a low incidence of bacterial resistance.
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