Publication details
Isolation and characterization of new bacteriophages against clinical isolates Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumanii from University hospital Ostrava
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| Year of publication | 2022 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumanii are known as emerging opportunistic pathogens associated with hospital facilities. Clinical isolates are a threat due to multidrug resistance, virulence factors, and toxins. These bacteria can be fatal for immunocompromised patients, as well as they play key role in secondary infections of severely ill COVID-19 patients. Bacteriophages (also known as phages) are natural predators of bacteria. Nowadays, because of increasing cases of MDR infections, phage therapy has the potential to be used as an alternative or supplement to antibiotics. In cooperation with the University hospital Ostrava bacteriophages against clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumanii were isolated. Fagofarma company thus expanded its collection by more than 40 Klebsiella and 9 Acinetobacter phages. Phages were isolated from wastewater and sludge, including wastewater from University hospital Ostrava. Host ranges of isolated phages were determined using more than 60 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae and 30 of A. baumanii. Combination of phages covers more than 90% of tested Klebsiella and Acinetobacter strains. Isolates with a broad host range or with specific features were characterized by whole genome sequencing and TEM. Some of them are unique, others have other have very similar genomes to previously described phages. Large scale production was optimized for each characterized phage, and long-term stability testing is under way.At present, downstream processes are optimized. The final liquid form of bacteriophage cocktail will have the potential of therapeutic usage in the future and could be used for various dosage forms. |