Bacteriophages potentiate the effect of antibiotics by eradication of persister cells and killing of biofilm-forming cells

Abstract

Persister cells and biofilms are associated with chronic urinary infections which are more critical when generated by multi-drug resistant bacteria. In this context, joint administration of phages and antibiotics has been proposed as an alternative approach, since it may decrease the probability to generate resistant mutants to both agents. In this work, we exposed cultures of uropathogenic Escherichia coli conjunctly to antibiotics and phages. We determined that MLP2 combined with antibiotics eradicates persister cells. Similarly, MLP1 and MLP3 impact viability of biofilm-forming cells when administered with ampicillin. Our findings suggest a feasible prophylactic and therapeutic use of these non-transducing phages.