In Vitro Demonstration of Targeted Phage Therapy and Competitive Exclusion as a Novel Strategy for Decolonization of Extended-Spectrum-Cephalosporin-Resistant Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESC-R) Escherichia coli have disseminated in food-producing animals globally, attributed to horizontal transmission of blaCTX-M variants, as seen in the InCI1-blaCTX-M-1 plasmid. This ease of transmission, coupled with its demonstrated long-term persistence, presents a significant One Health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risk. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a potential strategy in eliminating ESC-R E. coli in food-producing animals; however, it is hindered by the development of phage-resistant bacteria and phage biosafety concerns. Another alternative to antimicrobials is probiotics, with this study demonstrating that AMR-free commensal E. coli, termed competitive exclusion clones (CECs), can be used to competitively exclude ESC-R E. coli. This study isolated and characterized phages that lysed E. coli clones harboring the InCI1-blaCTX-M-1 plasmid, before investigation of the effect and synergy of phage therapy and competitive exclusion as a novel strategy for decolonizing ESC-resistant E. coli. In vitro testing demonstrated superiority in the combined therapy, reducing and possibly eliminating ESC-R E. coli through phage-mediated lysis coupled with simultaneous prevention of regrowth of phage-resistant mutants due to competitive exclusion with the CEC. Further investigation into this combined therapy in vivo is warranted, with on-farm application possibly reducing ESC-R prevalence, while constricting newly emergent ESC-R E. coli outbreaks prior to their dissemination throughout food-producing animals or humans. IMPORTANCE The emergence and global dissemination of resistance toward critically important antimicrobials, including extended-spectrum cephalosporins in the livestock sector, deepens the One Health threat of antimicrobial resistance. This resistance has the potential to disseminate to humans, directly or indirectly, nullifying these last lines of defense in life-threatening human infections. This study explores a novel strategy, the coadministration of bacteriophages (phages) and a competitive exclusion clone (antimicrobial-susceptible commensal E. coli), to revert an antimicrobial-resistant population to a susceptible population. While phage therapy is vulnerable to the emergence of phage-resistant bacteria, no phage-resistant bacteria emerged when a competitive exclusion clone was used in combination with the phage. Novel strategies that reduce the prevalence and slow the dissemination of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant E. coli in food-producing animals have the potential to extend the time frame in which antimicrobials remain available for effective use in animal and human health.