Exploration of Novel Capsule Depolymerases from Bacteriophage to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Overview

With the rapid rise of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, the fundamental need for new antimicrobial therapeutics is a pressing concern. In order to have an adequate arsenal to target antibiotic-resistant infections, innovative alternative treatment methods must be developed. One such area of interest is within bacteriophages, which are natural viruses that target and infect bacteria. These bacteriophages have evolved depolymerase enzymes capable of degrading the capsule of the bacteria and rendering it avirulent, forcing the bacteria to become non- 30 pathogenic and unable to spread; it also allows for both the host immune system and antibiotics to be effective. In this research project, Klebsiella pneumoniae was targeted, a common multidrug-resistant pathogen responsible for at least 100,000 - 200,000 deaths per year. This project used the bacteriophage ϕKPNIH1-1—which was previously screened and isolated by our lab to target K. pneumoniae—and, based upon preliminary bioinformatic screening, successfully purified and characterized four possible depolymerase proteins. The strain and capsule specificity was tested, confirming the activity of three novel depolymerases. These proteins are specific and effective, making them appealing standalone or supplemental treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections and paving the way for future next-generation phage therapies. With a new era of antibiotic resistance rapidly approaching, this sort of emerging treatment holds great potential to enable a new class of antimicrobial therapeutics.

Competition history

• JSHS 2023 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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