The emergence of neutralizing antibodies limits success of mycobacteriophage therapy
Mycobacterium abscessus infections present a major challenge to antibiotic therapy. Bacteriophages have a potential role to play in treatment of these infections, but neutralizing antibody reactions can limit the efficacy of the phages when administered intravenously.
Recent Comments
I recognize that there are a series of issues arising when using derivatives of temperate phages therapeutically. We would recommend the removal of the integration apparatus in addition to the repressor if intending to convert a former temperate phage into one that could be considered for therapy. But with designer-therapies there is also often a time constraint.
Just to clarify, the same cocktail was not used for a second patient with a failed outcome. The same cocktail was not useful for other patients due to strain specificity of the phage susceptibility profiles.