Efficacy of bacteriophage therapy in treating multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: An in vitro and in vivo analysis

Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections has critically reduced the efficacy of antibiotics, necessitating alternative treatments. Bacteriophage therapy offers targeted antibacterial activity and the potential to overcome resistance barriers.

Objective: To assess the therapeutic potential of bacteriophages in comparison to conventional antibiotics in reducing bacterial load, inhibiting biolm formation, and improving survival in a murine model of MDR Escherichia coli infection.

Methods: Environmental phages were isolated and tested against MDR E. coli. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: phage-treated, antibiotic-treated, and untreated control. Bacterial burden in liver and spleen tissues was quantied post-treatment. Biolm inhibition was measured in vitro. Survival was monitored over seven days. Data were analyzed using chi-square and ANOVA.

Results: Phage therapy signicantly reduced tissue bacterial load, inhibited biolm formation, and yielded a 70% survival rate, compared to 40% for antibiotics and 10% for controls (p < 0.05). Chi-square analysis conrmed signicant intergroup differences.

Conclusion: Phage therapy demonstrated superior efficacy over antibiotics in bacterial clearance and survival outcomes, indicating its promise as a novel alternative for managing MDR infections.