Bacteriophages of Klebsiella spp., their diversity and potential therapeutic uses

Abstract

Klebsiella spp. are commensals of the human microbiota, and a leading cause of opportunistic nosocomial infections. The incidence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing serious infections is increasing, and K. oxytoca is an emerging pathogen. Alternative strategies to tackle infections caused by these bacteria are required as strains become resistant to last-resort antibiotics such as colistin. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that can infect and kill bacteria. They and their gene products are now being considered as alternatives or adjuncts to antimicrobial therapies. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the potential for lytic phages to combat MDR K. pneumoniae infections. Ready access to cheap sequencing technologies has led to a large increase in the number of genomes available for Klebsiella-infecting phages, with these phages heterogeneous at the whole-genome level. This review summarises our current knowledge on phages of Klebsiella spp. and highlights technological and biological issues relevant to the development of phage-based therapies targeting these bacteria.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of a Novel Lytic Bacteriophage That Inactivates MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains

“…pneumoniae is among the leading bacterial species that cause oppor nosocomial infections and is considered a worldwide threat to public health [57 is increasing incidence of multi-drug resistant K. pneumoniae strains w accompanying loss of effectiveness of the antimicrobial therapies [58]. Thus, the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies for the control of this pathogen, and of bacteriophages has resurged as a useful approach to treat MDR K. pne infections [23].…”

“…Hence, new therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for the control of MDR K. pneumoniae infection are needed, such as the combined use of antibiotic therapies, antibacterial antibodies, enzyme-based antibacterials, and phage therapy [ 12 , 13 ]. Indeed, human patients and animal models with K. pneumoniae infections have been successfully treated with phage therapy, combined or not with conventional antibiotic strategies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

The Microbiome in Pancreatic Cancer-Implications for Diagnosis and Precision Bacteriophage Therapy for This Low Survival Disease

“…As shown in Figure 3 , a range of bacteria genera have been identified with increased abundance in the pancreatic tumour microbiome. Of these, the potential exists for precision control of Klebsiella , as numerous bacteriophages against this genus have been isolated and fully characterised ( Herridge et al., 2020 ). Fusobacterium have had only one lytic bacteriophage isolated and fully characterised ( Kabwe et al., 2019 ).…”

Malaria-Transmitting Vectors Microbiota: Overview and Interactions With Anopheles Mosquito Biology

“…Bacteriophages were discovered in 1915 and are viruses infecting bacteria and archaebacteria ( Clokie et al, 2011 ). They are found in all biomes ( Herridge et al, 2020 ), including mosquito vectors. Although some of these viruses are latent (the infection does not immediately result in cell death), there are virulent bacteriophages that only replicate through a lytic cycle to release new virions and kill their bacterial host ( Chevallereau et al, 2022 ).…”