Environment-dependent synergy of sequential phage–antibiotic–antifungal therapy against polymicrobial biofilms

Provided data are associated with the study which investigated the potential of sequential administration of ciprofloxacin, caspofungin, and bacteriophages as an alternative approach for eradicating dual-species biofilms made of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The therapeutic strategy was evaluated using ex vivo models (human urine [HU] and human heat-inactivated human plasma blood [HHIPB]) and an in vivo model (Galleria mellonella larvae). In the HHIPB and HU models effectiveness of the therapy was evaluated using plate count method and biofilm staining. These data are provided in folders “Plate count” (number of S. aureus, C. albicans and bacteriophages) and “Biofilm” (biofilm biomass, biofilm viability, biofilm specific activity (BSA), biofilm metabolic value (BMV)). In the HHIPB model the microbial load of both S. aureus and C. albicans decreased across all therapeutic combination and the most effective combinations reduced biofilm biomass by up to 40%. The therapy proved ineffective in the HU model, although microbial counts decreased slightly, the reduction was not statistically significant. Using Galleria mellonella larvae as a model, it was found that the strongest protective effect was observed for the CIP+CASP→AD sequence. These data are provided in the folder “Galleria mellonella” (survival of Galleria mellonella larvae after therapy). In conclusion, the three-factor therapy demonstrates model-dependent efficacy against S. aureus/C. albicans biofilms.