Innovative Strategies to Combat Antibacterial Resistance in Klebsiella spp.: Harnessing the Synergy of Phage and Antibiotics (ReScUe-Kleb)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern, Klebsiella spp. and especially K. pneumoniae stands out as a particularly dangerous threat due to its high mortality rates and limited treatment options. Bacteriophage therapy has gained renewed interest as a potential alternative to antibiotics. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically target and kill bacterial cells. The study aims to develop a potent and well-characterized bank of Klebsiella spp. phages in Latvia, with a focus on characterizing their interactions with antibiotics for potential use in phage therapy. The project will involve the isolation and characterization of phages from various sources, including hospital wastewater. The phages will be tested against different clinical isolates of Klebsiella spp. (mainly K. pneumoniae) to ensure their effectiveness. The interaction between phages and antibiotics will be investigated to determine potential synergistic effects. The goal is to establish a local phage collection that can be readily used for compassionate treatment of K. pneumoniae infections and used in future clinical trials. By developing a regional phage bank, the study aims to address the challenges of limited availability, regional differences in phage susceptibility, and lack of characterised phages for therapeutic use. This project will contribute to the advancement of phage therapy as a potential alternative to combat antimicrobial resistance and improve patient treatment outcomes.