Therapeutic Effect of Bacteriophage Against Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria

Abstract

With the increase in antibiotic resistant microbes in wastewater that causes a serious threat to public health, the demand and search for an alternative form of therapy is increasing. Bacteriophage may be explored as an alternative to antibiotics due to its natural ability to kill bacteria. But, the practical research surrounding the concept of bacteriophage therapy is lacking. Thus, current research project aims to determine the effects of bacteriophage on the antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from wastewater in hopes to provide an alternative to antibiotics as a way to curb the rise of antibiotic resistant bacterial population in wastewater. Bacteria isolated from wastewater were screened for antibiotic resistance with four broad spectrum antibiotics (Ampicillin, Kanamycin, Streptomycin, Azithromycin). Escherichia coli bacteriophage MS2 was used to determine the effect on multi-antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Three out of four bacteria isolated from waste water were found to be antibiotic resistant. 16S rRNA sequencing was done for two bacteria in which one was identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri and other as Shewanella putrefaciens. Formation of transparent zones or plaques in culture plates indicated successful lysis of multi-antibiotic resistant bacterial cells by bacteriophage which suggests that bacteriophage can successfully infect and kill antibiotic-resistant bacterial hosts. The findings of this project will be helpful for further research in developing treatment system engaging the bacteriophages for controlling or eliminating antibiotic resistance bacteria from wastewater of different origin.