Characterization and purification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages for the treatment of canine infections

Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes infections in both human and veterinary medicine, presenting significant challenges in treatment because of biofilm production and its intrinsic resistance. This problem is exacerbated by the increase in acquired antimicrobial resistance. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has emerged as a promising alternative for treating infection classically treated with antibiotics, offering a targeted approach to combat this infection. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of 7 phages, focusing on their suitability for treating canine infections, as well as their purification and safety analysis for therapeutic use. Results Two self-isolated phages and five provided phages were analysed. All tested phages reduced bacterial load in vitro; however, their efficacy varied across different concentrations. The host range analysis revealed a spectrum between 9.8 and 68.6% of canine clinical P. aeruginosa isolates. In our in vitro tests 3 out of 7 phages were able to significantly reduce the biofilm biomass, achieving reductions up to 93.38%. The sequence analysis did not discover known virulence factors and genes connected to antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. The self-isolated phages were classified as lysogenic, whereas the other phages had a lytic infection cycle. Through the purification of the phages, high-titre phage preparations (> 1011 PFU/ml) were generated with high stability for at least 1.5 years. The tested endotoxin units are below the regulatory limits. Conclusion Investigating phages as alternative treatment option seems promising with lytic phages covering a broad host range and a genomic potential for biofilm degradation. These findings support the development of phage cocktails as a targeted alternative for treating canine P. aeruginosa infections, particularly in cases of antibiotic resistance, and highlight the importance of selecting well-characterized lytic phages for therapeutic efficacy and safety.