Srishreya Arunsaravanakumar

How can bacteriophage therapy be used to effectively treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients?

Started June 3, 2023

Abstract or project description

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (PAI) is a serious and often life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PAI is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, who are at increased risk of developing this infection due to their underlying lung disease.

Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for PAI, but the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa has made it difficult to treat this infection. Bacteriophage therapy is a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating PAI. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, and they can be used to kill P. aeruginosa in vitro and in animal models.

The results of this research could have a significant impact on the treatment of PAI in CF patients. If bacteriophage therapy is shown to be effective and safe, it could provide a new treatment option for CF patients who are currently resistant to antibiotics.