Press release written by Fedor Zurabov at MicroMir.
Scientists of the “MicroMir” Research and Production Centre have published a study in Scientific reports on the effect of a bacteriophage cocktail with depolymerase activity on Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms. The obtained results demonstrate that the selected bacteriophage cocktail can effectively disrupt K. pneumoniae biofilms.
After 24 hours of K. pneumoniae biofilm formation, a single phage vB_KpnP_FZ12 or a cocktail of bacteriophages vB_KpnS_FZ10, vB_KpnP_FZ12 and vB_KpnM_FZ14 was added to the biofilm and incubated for additional 24 and 48 hours, control glasses were incubated without the addition of bacteriophages.
The study demonstrated the ability of both single phage and three-phage cocktail with depolymerase activity to effectively control antibiotic resistant K. pneumoniae biofilms. All stages of biofilm formation were observed, from single adherent cells, formation of small colonies, clusters, and to biofilm formation and maturation. It is noteworthy that researchers have also observed filament formation by K. pneumoniae cells. The production of filaments has been associated with the process of biofilm formation and modern research indicates that filamentation plays a vital role in biofilm development.
Bacteriophages were added after 24 hours of biofilm development, when such stages of biofilm growth as microcolony and filament formation were observed in the control samples. The addition of bacteriophages to the cell culture prevented biofilm formation; only single cells and small microcolonies were observed in the samples with phages.
The application of vB_KpnP_FZ12 phage alone showed the same efficacy in inhibiting biofilm growth as the application of a bacteriophage cocktail composed of three phages (vB_KpnS_FZ10, vB_KpnP_FZ12 and vB_KpnM_FZ14). Despite the demonstrated similar efficacy of the single phage and the bacteriophage cocktail in biofilm disruption, phage cocktails are recommended in therapy to prevent phage resistance as well as to improve lytic effects by expanding the phage-host range and increasing the number of target pathogens.
The present study shows the potential of the selected bacteriophages in controlling K. pneumoniae biofilms.
Research sources:
Fedor M. Zurabov, Egor A. Glazunov, Tatiana A. Kochetova, Victoria V. Uskevich & Valentina M. Popova. Published in Scientific reports 2023 | DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42505-3
About MicroMir
Research and production center “MicroMir” was founded in 2011. They stand for an eco-friendly approach to the human microbiome. MicroMir’s production center was built and operates in accordance with GMP regulations.
Currently, the company’s product portfolio includes 4 preparations with bacteriophages for humans, 1 product with bacteriophages for prevention and treatment of endometritis of bacterial etiopathogenesis in cows is registered as a drug for veterinary use in Russia, 1 preparation with bacteriophages for prevention of bacterial diseases in poultry farming is registered in Hungary. Jointly with Iskra, a cosmetic product with bacteriophages for problem skin has been registered and supplied to Japan. The company continues to develop preparations with bacteriophages for humans and livestock and actively cooperates with clinical institutions and agricultural producers.