Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a new bacterial killer that can target common lung infections caused by Burkholderia bacteria, which is particularly dangerous for those with serious lung diseases like Cystic Fibrosis. Burkholderia cenocepacia infections are difficult to treat as they can evade antibiotics, making them a serious threat. The scientists, led by Dr. Jessica Lewis, turned to bacteriophages (phages), which are natural viruses that can infect and kill bacteria, as a potential solution to target these evasive bacteria.
By looking for phages that can target and kill B. cenocepacia, researchers isolated a specific phage from wastewater samples taken from a sewage treatment works near Coventry, UK. Not only was this phage effective in killing B. cenocepacia, but it was also identified as a jumbo phage, which has a genome more than double the size of an average phage. Jumbo phages are rare, and their large genomes contain many unknown genes, presenting exciting possibilities for the discovery of new biological functions that could be harnessed for therapeutic purposes.
Dr. Lewis and her team are currently sequencing the DNA of the jumbo phage to identify potentially powerful new genes that could be engineered to enhance its ability to target and kill B. cenocepacia. The ultimate goal is to optimize phage therapy to avoid the development of resistance and other issues that are commonly encountered with antibiotics. However, UK policy currently restricts the production of phage therapeutics domestically, requiring researchers to collaborate with certified phage companies abroad to generate approved phage cocktails for clinical use.
Despite these limitations, Dr. Lewis and her team are dedicated to advancing the use of phages as a potential treatment for Burkholderia infections. Their research efforts, including the upcoming presentation of their data at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference, are aimed at contributing to the growing body of knowledge on phage therapy and its potential applications in patient care. Through continued research and collaboration with international partners, the hope is to develop effective phage-based therapies that can combat drug-resistant bacteria like B. cenocepacia and improve outcomes for patients with lung infections.
The discovery of a jumbo phage that can target and kill B. cenocepacia represents a significant milestone in the field of phage therapy, offering new possibilities for addressing infections that are challenging to treat with conventional antibiotics. Dr. Lewis and her colleagues are at the forefront of exploring the potential of this unique phage and its uncharted genetic elements, which could hold the key to developing more powerful and effective treatments for patients with Burkholderia infections. By leveraging the natural abilities of phages to combat bacterial pathogens, researchers are paving the way for innovative therapies that could revolutionize the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections in the future.
