Optimization of bacteriophage therapy for difficult-to-treat musculoskeletal infections: a bench-to-bedside perspective

Given the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, scientists are urgently seeking adjunct antimicrobial strategies, such as phage therapy (PT). However, despite promising results for the treatment of musculoskeletal infections in our center, crucial knowledge gaps remain. Therefore, a prospec...

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Published in:Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology 2024-09, Vol.14, p.1434397
Main Authors: Bessems, Laura, Chen, Baixing, Uyttebroek, Saartje, Devolder, David, Lood, Cédric, Verwimp, Stefaan, De Munter, Paul, Debaveye, Yves, Depypere, Melissa, Spriet, Isabel, Van Gerven, Laura, Dupont, Lieven, Wagemans, Jeroen, van Noort, Vera, Lavigne, Rob, Metsemakers, Willem-Jan, Onsea, Jolien
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteria - virology
Bacterial Infections - therapy
bacteriophage therapy
bacteriophages
Bacteriophages - physiology
bench-to-bedside
Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Humans
Musculoskeletal Diseases - microbiology
Musculoskeletal Diseases - therapy
musculoskeletal infections
Phage Therapy - methods
Prospective Studies
treatment optimization
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Summary:Given the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, scientists are urgently seeking adjunct antimicrobial strategies, such as phage therapy (PT). However, despite promising results for the treatment of musculoskeletal infections in our center, crucial knowledge gaps remain. Therefore, a prospective observational study (PHAGEFORCE) and a multidisciplinary approach was set up to achieve and optimize standardized treatment guidelines. At our center, PT is strictly controlled and monitored by a multidisciplinary taskforce. Each phage treatment follows the same pathway to ensure standardization and data quality. Within the PHAGEFORCE framework, we established a testing platform to gain insight in the safety and efficacy of PT, biodistribution, phage kinetics and the molecular interaction between phages and bacteria. The draining fluid is collected to determine the phage titer and bacterial load. In addition, all bacterial isolates are fully characterized by genome sequencing to monitor the emergence of phage resistance. We hereby present a standardized bench-to-bedside protocol to gain more insight in the kinetics and dynamics of PT for musculoskeletal infections.
ISSN:2235-2988
2235-2988
DOI:10.3389/fcimb.2024.1434397