Identification and Evaluation of a Phage Cocktail with High Lytic Activity Against Escherichia coli including Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)- Producing Isolates - A Preclinical Study

Antimicrobial resistance rates have dramatically increased among hospitalized patients worldwide and infections caused by these organisms are often associated with prolonged treatment courses and adverse outcomes. New therapeutic options are thus urgently needed and the use of Escherichia coli specific bacteriophages (in short: phages) might be a promising approach for treating infections caused by resistant strains. We therefore conducted a preclinical study to identify single phages with high lytic activity against clinical Escherichia coli isolates. In a second step, a phage cocktail was designed in order to enlarge the phage host spectrum and avoid resistance development.