Bacteriophage treatment of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa prosthetic joint infection
Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections without antibiotic options are a public health emergency. Infections associated with medical implants serve as an example. Conventional antibiotics have limited ability to eradicate these infections as they are associated with antibiotic-tolerant biofilms. Here, we report the use of bacteriophage therapy for the treatment of a MDR, non-operable Pseudomonas aeruginosa periprosthetic joint infection that had failed multiple antibiotic and surgical interventions. Treatment with intermittent bacteriophage therapy alone without antibiotics over a 2 year time period resulted in clinical resolution of the infection, but not microbiological eradication. Bacteriophage therapy established this control, in part, by altering bacterial virulence and disrupting biofilm. Whole genome sequencing demonstrated the continued presence of bacteriophage during treatment without integration into the bacteria genome. This provides preliminary evidence that bacteriophage therapy can be used to treat MDR infections in salvage cases when surgical and antibiotic options do not exist. Prospective, randomized studies are needed to establish indications and overall efficacy.