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The fascinating scientific history of phage therapy has been documented in numerous publications. In this study, however, we focus on an angle of the story that hitherto has remained relatively neglected, namely, phage therapy treatments, and the protagonists that conducted these in Mandatory-Palestine and subsequently the state of Israel, as part of a global trend. We complete the story by describing efforts in the new era of phage therapy in present-day Israel.

PASA16 is a Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage isolated from a soil sample and used to treat several patients suffering from persistent infections in various countries. PASA16’s genome was sequenced, analyzed, and deposited in GenBank.

EFGrKN and EFGrNG are new Enterococcus faecalis phages that were isolated from sewage samples as part of the Israeli Phage Bank (IPB). The complete genomes were sequenced, analyzed, and deposited in GenBank. According to their lytic activity in vitro, it seems that these phages have a potential to be used in future phage therapy treatments.

Providencia spp. are emerging pathogens mainly in nosocomial infections. Providencia stuartii in particular is involved in urinary tract infections and contributes significantly to the high incidence of biofilm-formation in catheterized patients. Furthermore, recent reports suggested a role for multiple drug resistant (MDR) P. stuartii in hospital-associated outbreaks which leads to excessive complications resulting in challenging treatments. Phage therapy is currently one of the most promising solutions to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. However, the number of available phages targeting Providencia spp. is extremely limited, restricting the use of phage therapy in such cases. In the present study, we describe the isolation and characterization of 17 lytic and lysogenic bacteriophages targeting clinical isolates of Providencia spp. as part of the Israeli Phage Bank (IPB). These phages, isolated from sewage samples, were evaluated for host range activity and effectively eradicated 95% of the tested bacterial strains isolated from different geographic locations and displaying a wide range of antibiotic resistance. Their lytic activity is demonstrated on agar plates, planktonic cultures, and biofilm formed in a catheter model. The results suggest that these bacteriophages can potentially be used for treatment of antibiotic-resistant Providencia spp. infections in general and of urinary tract infections in particular.

Background Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of biofilm-mediated left ventricular device (LVAD) infections which are difficult to resolve with antibiotics alone and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Recently, bacteriophages (phage) therapy has been used to resolve LVAD infections in a few cases. Our goal was to assess in vitro susceptibility and anti-biofilm activity of two S. aureus bacteriophages against clinical isolates from patients with S. aureus LVAD infections in order to develop a S. aureus phage cocktail for clinical use. Methods Two bacteriophages, OMS1 and OMS2, from the Israeli Phage Bank, were assessed for lytic activity against 15 S.aureus isolates (9 methicillin resistant, MRSA and 6 methicillin susceptible, MSSA) via agar overlay method and plaque forming units (PFU)/mL were enumerated. We then formed bacterial biofilms after overnight incubation at 120 rpm in a 96-well plates in duplicate; experiments were repeated thrice. Wells were then treated with tryptic soy broth (TSB, control) or TSB containing phage at 109 PFU/mL for 24 hours. After washing, biofilms were stained with crystal violet and biomass quantified via optical density at 570mm. Results All bacterial isolates were susceptible to both phages via agar overlay to varying degrees as determined by phage titers obtained via serial dilutions (Figure 1a, 1b). OMS1 led to significant reduction in biofilm of 7/9 MRSA and 3/6 MSSA isolates and OMS2 reduced biofilms in 9/9 MRSA and 4/6 MSSA isolates (Figure 1c). Phage titers and Biofilm Biomass Figure 1a) Phage titers in PFU/ml obtained from each bacterial isolate via agar overlay method. 1b) Representative agar plate demonstrating lytic plaques from OMS1 and OMS2 on a Staphylococcus aureus LVAD isolate. 1c) Biofilm biomass of Staphylococcus aureus isolates alone (SA) or with individual phage (SA+OMSA1 and SA=OMS2) assessed by optical density readings at 570 nm; error bars represent standard error of the mean. Conclusion We demonstrated in vitro lytic and anti-biofilm activity of 2 S. aureus phages against clinical S. aureus isolates from patients with LVAD infection. Our data suggests that phage susceptibility measured with agar overlay does not always correlate with phage susceptibility of S. aureus biofilms, suggesting that more than one method should be used to assess in vitro activity. We plan to assess for synergistic activity with the phage combination. Disclosures Ryan K. Shields, PharmD, MS, Shionogi (Consultant, Research Grant or Support) Ran Nir-Paz, MD, BiomX (Consultant)Technophage (Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member) Saima Aslam, MD, MS, BioMx (Consultant)Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Grant/Research Support)Gilead (Consultant)Johnson and Johnson (Consultant)Merck (Consultant)

Personalized-phage-therapy is a promising solution for the emerging crisis of bacterial infections that fail to be eradicated by conventional antibiotics.One of the most crucial elements of personalized-phage-therapy is the proper matching of phages and antibiotics to the target bacteria in a given clinical setting. However, to date, there is no consensus guideline for laboratory procedures that enablein vitroevaluation of phages intended for treatment.In this work, we suggest a framework and strategies identify appropriate phages and combine them with antibiotics in clinical microbiology laboratories. This framework, which we term here “Clinical Phage Microbiology” is based on our experience and other previously reported cases of both, successful and failed phage treatments.Additionally, we discuss troubleshooting methodologies for possible pitfalls and special cases that may need to be assessed before treatment including interactions with the host immune system, biofilms, and polymicrobial infections.We believe that the “Clinical Phage Microbiology” pipeline presented here should serve as the basis for standardization of laboratory protocols to match phages for personalized therapy.

Summary Phage therapy is a promising solution for bacterial infections that are not eradicated by conventional antibiotics. A crucial element of this approach is appropriate matching of bacteriophages and antibiotics to the bacterial target according to the clinical setting. However, there is currently little consistency in the protocols used for the laboratory evaluation of bacteriophages intended for antibacterial treatment. In this Personal View, we suggest a framework aimed to match appropriate bacteriophage-based treatments in clinical microbiology laboratories. This framework, which we have termed Clinical Phage Microbiology, is based on the current research on phage treatments. In addition, we discuss special cases that might require additional relevant evaluation, including bacteriophage interactions with the host immune response, biofilm-associated infections, and polymicrobial infections. The Clinical Phage Microbiology pipeline could serve as the basis for future standardisation of laboratory protocols for personalised phage therapy.

A key element in phage therapy is the establishment of large phage collections, termed herein &ldquo, banks&rdquo, where many well-characterized phages, ready to be used in the clinic, are stored. These phage banks serve for both research and clinical purposes. Phage banks are also a key element in clinical phage microbiology, the prior treatment matching of phages and antibiotics to specific bacterial targets. A worldwide network of phage banks can promote a phage-based solution for any isolated bacteria. Herein, we describe the Israeli Phage Bank (IPB) established in the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, which currently has over 300 phages matching 16 bacteria, mainly pathogens. The phage bank is constantly isolating new phages and developing methods for phage isolation and characterization. The information on the phages and bacteria stored in the bank is available online.

Phage therapy is an experimental therapeutic approach used to target multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. A lack of reliable data with regard to its efficacy and regulatory hurdles hinders a broad application. Here we report, for the first time, a case of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium abdominal infection in a one-year-old, critically ill, and three times liver transplanted girl, which was successfully treated with intravenous injections (twice per day for 20 days) of a magistral preparation containing two Enterococcus phages. This correlated with a reduction in baseline C-reactive protein (CRP), successful weaning from mechanical ventilation and without associated clinical adverse events. Prior to clinical use, phage genome was sequenced to confirm the absence of genetic determinants conferring lysogeny, virulence or antibiotic resistance, and thus their safety. Using a phage neutralization assay, no neutralizing anti-phage antibodies in the patient’s serum could be detected. Vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium isolates were identified in close relation to phage therapy and, by using whole-genome sequencing, it was demonstrated that vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium emerged from vancomycin-resistant progenitors. Covering a one year follow up, we provide further evidence for the feasibility of bacteriophage therapy that can serve as a basis for urgently needed controlled clinical trials.

We report the genomic sequences of phages KpCHEMY26 and KpGranit, isolated in Israel during a worldwide effort against a multidrug- and phage-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae from a patient in Finland. These results demonstrate the importance of an efficient worldwide network for collaborating in personalized therapy for infectious diseases.

A patient with a trauma-related left tibial infection associated with extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae was treated with bacteriophages and antibiotics. There was rapid tissue healing and positive culture eradication. As a result, the patient’s leg did not have to be amputated and he is undergoing rehabilitation.