L3-2620 Development of bacteriophage treatment against antibiotic resistant bacteria in orthopaedic implant related infections

The main goal of the project is to evaluate efficacy of bacteriophage treatment against S. epidermidis of orthopaedic implant-related infections in a mice model.

Joint replacement surgery is increasingly performed as a result of increasing life expectancy, obesity and improvements in surgical techniques. Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a possible post-operative complication, and its rate has remained steady throughout the years, at 1.4–3.3 %, depending on the joint being replaced. Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically recognize and lyse bacteria, are promising candidates for antibacterial therapy. In comparison with antibiotics, they specifically target a bacterium, have a minimal effect on normal microbiota, and amplify themselves on the site of infection. There are already some sporadic applications of bacteriophage therapy for treatment of PJI. However, in order to systematically demonstrate therapy efficacy and safety, a FDA- and EMA-compliant approach is needed. Therefore, the project will evaluate bacteriophage efficacy against staphylococci in PJI in mice model and evaluate the unaddressed issues in the field: mode of application (systemic vs. local), bacteriophage distribution in the animal body (basic bacteriophage pharmacokinetics) and development of bacteria resistance against bacteriophages.

COBIK, a leading project partner, has an extensive collection of different clinically relevant bacteria isolated from PJI, and bacteriophages, specific for these bacteria. COBIK has already demonstrated bacteriophage efficacy in vitro on cell culture model.  Despite, in order to proceed towards clinical application needed by Orthopaedic hospital Valdoltra patients, we need to test bacteriophage efficacy on a mice model, mastered by Centre for Laboratory animals. Bacteriophage formulation will be produced and formulated by technology developed by BIA Separations. The main goal of the project is to evaluate efficacy of bacteriophage treatment against Staphylococcus epidermidis in orthopaedic implant-related infections in mice model.

The project is cofunded by the Slovenian Research Agency ARRS.