Novel Mechanisms of Bacteriophage Therapy Against the Threat of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08826
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kyorin University
• Principal Investigator: Takeaki Matsuda 杏林大学, 医学部, 教授 (80365204)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 花輪 智子 杏林大学, 医学部, 教授 (80255405)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ファージ療法 / バクテリオファージ / 多剤耐性菌 / MRSA / 創傷感染 / 免疫修飾

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Bacteriophage (phage), which infects and lyses bacteria, has recently been focused on fighting against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a representative multidrug-resistant bacterium. In Japan, a certain number of infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, are caused by MRSA. In this study, we analyzed the immune response by administration of phiMR003, which is an MRSA phage showing a broad host range and high bacteriolysis activity, to wound infection using a mouse model. The results showed that phage accelerated healing of wound infection with phage susceptible MRSA strain. The pathology of the infected wounds with phage-insensitive MRSA strain was also improved, suggesting that this was due to the suppression of excessive inflammation.

Free Research Field

重症感染症の治療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

MRSA感染症のファージ療法は、欧米でさらに臨床研究などが促進され、その成功例も多く報告されるようになった。ファージを投与することで完全な細菌数の消失がないまま病態が改善されている症例もみられ、治癒する機序についてはまだ不明な点が多い。本研究による成果は、それらの機構の解明の一助となる。