A novel bacteriophage cocktail reduces and disperses Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms under static and flow conditions.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that forms highly stable communities - biofilms, which contribute to the establishment and maintenance of infections. The biofilm state and intrinsic/acquired bacterial resistance mechanisms contribute to resistance/tolerance to antibiotics that is frequently observed in P. aeruginosa isolates. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of six novel lytic bacteriophages: viruses that infect bacteria, which together efficiently infect and kill a wide range of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. The phages were used to formulate a cocktail with the potential to eliminate P. aeruginosa PAO1 planktonic cultures. Two biofilm models were studied, one static and one dynamic, and the phage cocktail was assessed for its ability to reduce and disperse the biofilm biomass. For the static model, after 4 h of contact with the phage suspension (MOI 10) more than 95% of biofilm biomass was eliminated. In the flow biofilm model, a slower rate of activity by the phage was observed, but 48 h after addition of the phage cocktail the biofilm was dispersed, with most cells eliminated (> 4 logs) comparing with the control. This cocktail has the potential for development as a therapeutic to control P. aeruginosa infections, which are predominantly biofilm centred.
Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY, UK.
Diana R
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6008-1899
DR
Alves
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY, UK.
P
P
Perez-Esteban
Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus Universitet, Frederiksborgvej 399, Postboks, 358, Roskilde, DK-4000, Denmark.
W
W
Kot
Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY, UK.
J E
JE
Bean
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY, UK.
T
T
Arnot
Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus Universitet, Frederiksborgvej 399, Postboks, 358, Roskilde, DK-4000, Denmark.
L H
LH
Hansen
School of Healthcare Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, John Dalton Building, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.
Mark C
MC
Enright
Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY, UK.
A Tobias A
AT
Jenkins
D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D006801:Humans; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology*