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Bacteriophages and Lysins in Biofilm Control

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Virologica Sinica

Abstract

To formulate the optimal strategy of combatting bacterial biofilms, in this review we update current knowledge on the growing problem of biofilm formation and its resistance to antibiotics which has spurred the search for new strategies to deal with this complication. Based on recent findings, the role of bacteriophages in the prevention and elimination of biofilm-related infections has been emphasized. In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo biofilm treatment models with single bacteriophages or phage cocktails have been compared. A combined use of bacteriophages with antibiotics in vitro or in vivo confirms earlier reports of the synergistic effect of these agents in improving biofilm removal. Furthermore, studies on the application of phage-derived lysins in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo against biofilm-related infections are encouraging. The strategy of combined use of phage and antibiotics seems to be different from using lysins and antibiotics. These findings suggest that phages and lysins alone or in combination with antibiotics may be an efficient weapon against biofilm formation in vivo and ex vivo, which could be useful in formulating novel strategies to combat bacterial infections. Those findings proved to be relevant in the prevention and destruction of biofilms occurring during urinary tract infections, orthopedic implant-related infections, periodontal and peri-implant infections. In conclusion, it appears that most efficient strategy of eliminating biofilms involves phages or lysins in combination with antibiotics, but the optimal scheme of their administration requires further studies.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the statutory funds from the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland

    Marzanna Łusiak-Szelachowska, Beata Weber-Dąbrowska & Andrzej Górski

  2. Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland

    Beata Weber-Dąbrowska & Andrzej Górski

Authors
  1. Marzanna Łusiak-Szelachowska
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  2. Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
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  3. Andrzej Górski
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Marzanna Łusiak-Szelachowska, Beata Weber-Dąbrowska or Andrzej Górski.

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Conflict of interest

A Górski and B Weber-Dąbrowska are co-inventors of patents owned by the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy and covering phage preparations. M Łusiak-Szelachowska declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Łusiak-Szelachowska, M., Weber-Dąbrowska, B. & Górski, A. Bacteriophages and Lysins in Biofilm Control. Virol. Sin. 35, 125–133 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12250-019-00192-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12250-019-00192-3

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