The Potential Application and Risks Associated With the Use of Predatory Bacteria as a Biocontrol Agent Against Wound Infections
Abstract
Disease-causing microorganisms that have become resistant to drug therapy are an increasing cause of burn, wound, blast and bone infections, with many traditional antimicrobial agents becoming ineffective. Our main hypothesis is that predatory prokaryotes could serve as a novel therapeutic agent to control wound-related bacterial infections. In a previous study, we confirmed that predatory bacteria Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus are able to prey on a wide range of pathogens including bacteria isolated from Wounded Warriors. The aim of this proposal is to address key questions regarding the safety and efficacy of predatory bacteria and investigating predator prey interactions and resistance. Using enrichment culturing techniques we have verified that no genetically stable predation resistant phenotype developed in K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii host cells following sequential predation by B. bacteriovorus. Furthermore, sequential predation by M. aeruginosavorus also did not yield host resistance. Our data also confirmed that the predators do not breach their host specificity and attack previously resistant bacteria. Additional enrichment experiments did not produce predators which exhibit enhance predation on a selected host but did yield predators which were acclimated to attack at elevated temperatures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA595292
Entities
People
- Daniel E. Kadouri
Organizations
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey