Bacteriophage Therapy Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Causing Serious Wound Infections
Abstract
Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) are major threats to wounded Soldiers, Veterans, and their hospitalized family members. These MDRB cause life-threatening infections of wounds, bones, abdomen, lungs, and bloodstream. There are few if any antibiotics that are useful against the bacteria. The few remaining medicines are often toxic to the kidneys and liver. The use of bacteriophages is an alternative approach to treating these resistant infections. Bacteriophages are small viruses that specifically target bacteria. They have been shown experimentally in animal models and clinically in patients to be powerful agents in the treatment of serious infections caused by MDRB. We propose to take these early observations much farther with an innovative strategy of using bacteriophages to reduce the virulence and increase the susceptibility of MDRB to antibiotics. We will demonstrate the mechanisms of this effect through next-generation sequencing of the bacterial DNA. This innovative approach to treatment will allow the combined use of bacteriophages and antibiotics against resistant infections that threaten the lives of our wounded Soldiers, Veterans, and their hospitalized family members.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1810724
Entities
People
- Thomas Walsh
Organizations
- United States Army
- Weill Cornell Medicine