EFFICACY OF BACTERIOPHAGE AGAINST PROTEUS MIRABILIS IN URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Abstract

Background: The rising prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens in urinary tract infections (UTIs) poses a significant public health challenge, highlighting an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Phage therapy, which uses lytic bacteriophages to specifically target and eliminate bacteria, represents a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Objectives: This study aimed to isolate and evaluate the lytic activity of bacteriophages against clinical isolates of multi-drug resistant Proteus mirabilis obtained from patients with urinary tract infections.

Methods: We collected 16 wastewater samples from various locations in Kohat to screen for bacteriophages. Ten clinical samples of MDR P. mirabilis were isolated from 400 urine specimens cultured from UTI patients at District hospital Kohat. Standard microbiology techniques, including the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, were used for antibiotic susceptibility testing. Phage lytic activity was initially screened using a spot assay, followed by a double-layer agar (DLA) assay to confirm activity and quantify the phage populations.

Results: Four of the sixteen wastewater samples (Samples No. 4, 9, 7, and 11) demonstrated clear zones of inhibition, confirming the presence of bacteriophages with lytic activity against P. mirabilis. The plaque assays revealed varied plaque sizes and morphologies, suggesting the presence of diverse phage populations.

Conclusion: The successful isolation of lytic bacteriophages against clinical MDR P. mirabilis isolates indicates that these phages have strong potential as a therapeutic agent. Phage therapy could serve as a viable alternative or an effective adjunct to conventional antibiotics for treating UTIs caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.