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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes
Published on: September 27, 2018
P3MA: A Promising Mycobacteriophage Infecting Mycobacterium abscessus
Antonio Broncano-Lavado1, John Jairo Aguilera-Correa2,3, Françoise Roquet-Banères2
1Clinical Microbiology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Autonomous University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Background/Objectives:
Mycobacterium abscessus is an opportunistic pathogen causing infections mainly in patients with immunosuppression and chronic pulmonary pathologies. Extended treatment periods are needed to tackle this pathogen, bacterial eradication is rare, and recurrence can take place with time. New alternative treatments are being investigated, such as bacteriophage therapy. This work describes the characterization of the mycobacteriophage P3MA, showing its ability to infect clinical and standard M. abscessus strains.
Methods:
Phylogenetic analysis, electron microscopy, growth curves, biofilm assays, checkerboard, and granuloma-like medium studies were performed.
Results:
P3MA inhibited the growth of clinical samples in both planktonic and biofilm states as well as in a granuloma-like model. The study of the interaction with antibiotics revealed that P3MA exhibited an antagonistic effect combined with clarithromycin, indifference with amikacin, and synergy with imipenem.
Conclusions:
All these results suggest that, after genetic engineering, P3MA could be a promising candidate for phage therapy in combination with imipenem, including lung infections.
Insights
Mycobacteriophage P3MA effectively inhibits Mycobacterium abscessus growth in planktonic, biofilm, and granuloma models. This bacteriophage shows potential for phage therapy, particularly when combined with imipenem for lung infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriophage Therapy
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mycobacterium abscessus is an opportunistic pathogen causing difficult-to-treat infections, often requiring prolonged treatment with high recurrence rates.
- Current treatment limitations necessitate the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies, such as bacteriophage therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize mycobacteriophage P3MA and evaluate its efficacy against Mycobacterium abscessus.
- To assess the potential of P3MA as a therapeutic agent, alone and in combination with antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis, electron microscopy, growth curve analysis, and biofilm assays were employed.
- Checkerboard assays and granuloma-like medium studies were conducted to evaluate P3MA's efficacy and interactions with antibiotics.
Main Results:
- P3MA demonstrated significant inhibition of Mycobacterium abscessus growth in planktonic and biofilm states, and within a granuloma-like model.
- P3MA showed synergistic effects with imipenem, antagonistic effects with clarithromycin, and indifference with amikacin.
Conclusions:
- Mycobacteriophage P3MA is a promising candidate for phage therapy against Mycobacterium abscessus infections.
- Genetic engineering of P3MA, in combination with imipenem, could offer a novel treatment strategy for lung infections caused by this pathogen.
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