Bacteriophage trigger antiviral immunity and prevent clearance of bacterial infection

Phage subverts immune response Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( Pa ) is a multidrug-resistant Gramnegative bacterium commonly found in health care settings. Pa infections frequently result in considerable morbidity and mortality. Sweere et al. found that a type of temperate filamentous bacteriophage that infects and integrates into Pa is associated with chronic human wound infections. Likewise, wounds in mice colonized with phage-infected Pa were more severe and longer-lasting than those colonized by Pa alone. Immune cell uptake of phage-infected Pa resulted in phage RNA production and inappropriate antiviral immune responses, impeding bacterial clearance. Both phage vaccination and transfer of antiphage antibodies…

• CF
  Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• DR
  Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Research Trust
• NI
  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

  Awards: R21AI133240, R21AI133370, R01AI12492093