Experimental bacteriophage therapy increases survival of Galleria mellonella larvae infected with clinically relevant strains of the Burkholderia cepacia complex

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 May;53(5):2205-8. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01166-08. Epub 2009 Feb 17.

Abstract

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a group of bacterial pathogens that are highly antibiotic resistant and associated with debilitating respiratory infections. Although bacteriophages of the BCC have been isolated and characterized, no studies have yet examined phage therapy against the BCC in vivo. In a caterpillar infection model, we show that BCC phage therapy is an alternative treatment possibility and is highly effective under specific conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriophages / physiology*
  • Burkholderia Infections / microbiology
  • Burkholderia Infections / therapy*
  • Burkholderia cepacia complex / virology*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Hemolymph / virology
  • Humans
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Moths / growth & development*
  • Moths / microbiology*
  • Treatment Outcome