Case Study: Phage treatment of an aortic graft infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Journal: 
Evolution, Medicine and Public Health 2018(1):60-66.
Year of Publication: 
2018
Authors: 
Chan, B.K., P.E. Turner, S. Kim, H.R. Mojibian, J.A. Elefteriades, and D. Narayan.
Abstract: 

Management of prosthetic vascular graft infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be a significant challenge to clinicians.  These infections often do not resolve with antibiotic therapy alone due to antibiotic resistance/tolerance by bacteria, poor ability of antibiotics to permeate/reduce biofilms, and/or other factors.  Bacteriophage OMKO1 binding to efflux pump proteins in P. aeruginosa was consistent with an evolutionary trade-off: wildtype bacteria were killed by phage whereas evolution of phage-resistance led to increased antibiotic sensitivity. However, phage clinical-use has not been demonstrated.  Here, we present a case report detailing therapeutic application of phage OMKO1 to treat a chronic P. aeruginosa infection of an aortic Dacron graft with associated aorto-cutaneous fistula.  Following a single application of phage OMKO1 and ceftazidime, the infection appeared to resolve with no signs of recurrence.