Selection and Characterization of a Candidate Therapeutic Bacteriophage That Lyses the Escherichia coli O104:H4 Strain from the 2011 Outbreak in Germany

Maia Merabishvili, Daniel de Vos, Gilbert Verbeken, Andrew M. Kropinski, Dieter Vandenheuvel, Rob Lavigne, Pierre Wattiau, Jan Mast, Catherine Ragimbeau, Joel Mossong, Jacques Scheres, Nina Chanishvili, Mario Vaneechoutte, Jean Paul Pirnay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In 2011, a novel strain of O104:H4 Escherichia coli caused a serious outbreak of foodborne hemolytic uremic syndrome and bloody diarrhea in Germany. Antibiotics were of questionable use and 54 deaths occurred. Candidate therapeutic bacteriophages that efficiently lyse the E. coli O104:H4 outbreak strain could be selected rather easily from a phage bank or isolated from the environment. It is argued that phage therapy should be more considered as a potential armament against the growing threat of (resistant) bacterial infections.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere52709
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume7
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Dec 2012

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