Pulsed blue light and phage therapy: A novel synergistic bactericide

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a critical health threat. Novel treatment approaches are urgently required in this post-antibiotic era. In the current study, we investigated the bactericidal combinatorial potential of two non-antibiotic alternative approaches: phage therapy and pulsed blue light (PBL). Bacteriophages (phages), are viruses that specifically infect and lyse bacteria without harming eukaryotic cells. Pulsed blue light (PBL) alters bacterial membranes and was clinically shown to be innocuous to the skin in low doses. Here, using a low dose 457nm, 33KHz PBL combined with specific PA targeting phages, we demonstrated a synergistic effect that achieved complete inhibition of planktonic bacteria and a 40% reduction in formed biofilms. As part of this study, we also developed a user-friendly python-based tool for extraction of growth curve outcomes. In vivo studies are warranted for further validation of this combinatorial treatment. This approach may lead to a novel, antibiotic complementary modality to help patients suffering from difficult-to-treat antibiotic-resistant infections.