Uropathogenic E. coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), but some strains, such as UPEC124, are resistant to many antibiotics, including carbapenems. This strain, isolated from a 91-year-old patient, resisted all commercially available phage preparations and most antibiotics. In response, researchers from Moscow isolated Mimir124, a narrow-host-range bacteriophage, from environmental water samples.
A recent study has demonstrated the successful use of a bacteriophage, Mimir124, to treat a multidrug-resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain in a patient with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. This development provides new insights into the potential of phage therapy as an alternative treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Mimir124 was found to specifically target UPEC124, effectively lysing the bacterial cells. The phage recognizes the O-antigen on the surface of UPEC124 as its receptor, which allowed for successful infection and bacterial clearance. The patient was treated with Mimir124 via both oral administration and intravesical instillations, leading to a complete eradication of the infection and significant clinical improvement with a marked reduction in leukocytes in the urine, signaling the infection’s resolution.
his case highlights the potential of personalized phage therapy, where a specific phage is selected to target an individual’s bacterial strain. This approach contrasts with broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can disrupt the microbiome and promote resistance. Phage therapy offers a more targeted alternative, potentially reducing side effects and the risk of resistance development.
The results from this study support further exploration of phage therapy as a treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. The success of Mimir124 in treating UPEC124 underscores the value of narrow-host-range phages in personalized medicine.
