Bacteriophages with depolymerase activity in the control of antibiotic resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is associated with a variety of infections, such as pneumonia, urogenital infection, liver abscess, and bloodstream infection. It is especially dangerous for patients in medical facilities, where it can cause ventilator-associated pneumonia or intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent strains as well as the ability to form biofilms on various medical devices complicates the treatment of such infections and makes the use of antibiotics ineffective. The application of bacteriophages is a promising alternative for combating Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms. In the present study a cocktail of 3 bacteriophages with depolymerase activity was used to control antibiotic resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms in vitro. Biofilms were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained results demonstrate that the studied bacteriophage cocktail can effectively disrupt Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms.