Pharmacokinetics and safety evaluation of intravenously administered Pseudomonas phage PA_LZ7 in a mouse model

Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Jan 11;12(1):e0188223. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01882-23. Epub 2023 Nov 28.

Abstract

Phage therapy is gaining traction as an alternative to antibiotics due to the rise of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This study assessed the pharmacokinetics and safety of PA_LZ7, a phage targeting MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in mice. After intravenous administration, the phage showed an exponential decay in plasma and its concentration dropped significantly within 24 h for all dosage groups. Although there was a temporary increase in certain plasma cytokines and spleen weight at higher dosages, no significant toxicity was observed. Therefore, PA_LZ7 shows potential as an effective and safe candidate for future phage therapy against MDR P. aeruginosa infections.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance; phage therapy; pharmacokinetics; safety.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteriophages*
  • Mice
  • Pseudomonas Infections* / microbiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections* / therapy
  • Pseudomonas Phages* / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents