Bacteriophage cocktail shows no toxicity and improves the survival ofGalleria mellonellainfected withKlebsiellaspp.

Abstract

Klebsiellaspp. are causative agents of healthcare associated infections in patients who are immunocompromised and use medical devices. The antibiotic resistance crisis has led to an increase in infections caused by these bacteria, which can develop into potentially life-threatening illness if not treated swiftly and effectively. Thus, new treatment options forKlebsiellaare urgently required. Phage therapy can offer an alternative to ineffective antibiotic treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections. The aim of the present study was to produce a safe and effective phage cocktail treatment againstK. pneumoniaeandK. oxytoca, both in liquidin vitroculture and anin vivo Galleria mellonellainfection model. The phage cocktail was significantly more effective at killingK. pneumoniaeandK. oxytocastrains compared with monophage treatments. Preliminary phage cocktail safety was demonstrated through application in thein vivo G. mellonellamodel: where the phage cocktail induced no toxic side effects inG. mellonella. In addition, the phage cocktail significantly improved the survival ofG. mellonellawhen administered as a prophylactic treatment, compared with controls. In conclusion, our phage cocktail was demonstrated to be safe and effective againstKlebsiellaspp. in theG. mellonellainfection model. This provides a strong case for future treatment forKlebsiellainfections, either as an alternative, or adjunct to, antibiotics.