Bacteriophages can be used as infection control agents: A proof-of concept study involving anti-Acinetobacter baumannii phage

Abstract

Hospital acquired infections are responsible for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acinetobacter spp. infections are particularly notorious for complicating patient management in ICU settings. Extremely high mortality rates are associated with Acinetobacter infections because of their resistance to first- and second-line drugs. There is imminent need to develop infections control systems that are specific and environment friendly. Here, we report a proof-of-concept anti-Acinetobacter spp. bacteriophage-based infection control assay that is very target specific as well as innocuous to environment. extensively drug resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii strain was inoculated at various solid surfaces. A bacteriophage, enriched in the same strain, was applied on the inoculated surfaces. Phenol (carbolic acid) was used as a positive control. We show that bacteriophages can be used as infection control agents. In our assay, they killed XDR Acinetobacter baumannii present on solid surfaces. Our bacteriophage was extremely effective at reducing the CFU of inoculated strain to almost undetectable levels.