Efficacy of Diversely Isolated Lytic Phages against Multi-Drug Resistant Enterobacter Cloacae Isolates in Kenya
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Date
2022-08
Authors
Mutai, Ivy J.
Juma, Angela A.
Inyimili, Martin I.
Nyachieo, Atunga
Nyamache, Anthony K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ajlm
Abstract
Background: Enterobacter cloacae causes nosocomial infections in 15% of patients in low- and
middle-income countries with emergence of carbapenem resistance. The utilisation of
bacteriophages for therapeutic purposes is crucial for eradicating these resistant bacterial
strains.
Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of lytic phages on bacterial isolates of E. cloacae
and determined their stability in various physicochemical conditions.
Methods: Twenty-nine lytic phages were isolated from the waste water of six informal
settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya, from July 2019 to December 2020 and cross-reacted
with 30 anonymised clinical isolates of E. cloacae. Six phages were then selected for
physicochemical property studies. Phages were described as potent upon lysing any bacterial
strain in the panel.
Results: Selected phages were stable at 4 °C – 50 °C with a 5.1% decrease in titre in four of six
phages and a 1.8% increase in titre in two of six phages at 50 °C. The phages were efficient
following two weeks incubation at 4 °C with optimal activity at human body temperature
(37 °C) and an optimal pH of 7.5. Phages were active at 0.002 M and 0.015 M concentrations
of Ca2+ ions. The efficiency of all phages decreased with increased exposure to ultraviolet
light. All phages (n = 29) showed cross-reactivity against anonymised clinical isolates of
E. cloacae strains (n = 30). The most potent phage lysed 67.0% of bacterial strains; the least
potent phage lysed 27.0%.
Conclusion: This study reveals the existence of therapeutic phages in Kenya that are potent
enough for treatment of multi-drug resistant E. cloacae.
Description
article
Keywords
lytic phages, Enterobacter cloacae, multi-drug resistance, nosocomial infections, Nairobi County, Kenya
Citation
Mutai IJ, Juma AA, Inyimili MI, Nyachieo A, Nyamache AK. Efficacy of diversely isolated lytic phages against multi-drug resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolates in Kenya. Afr J Lab Med. 2022;11(1), a1673. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm. v11i1.1673