Phage therapy: Intra-Abdominal Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Infection

Read here: https://doi.org/10.1089/phage.2023.0034

Abstract: Multidrug-resistant infections are a challenge in the healthcare setting and a cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that target and kill bacteria and have been used in patients to treat bacterial infections. We present a case of disseminated Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection, with pulmonary, intra-abdominal and bloodstream involvement. The patient was treated with a combination of antibi- otics and personalized phage therapy, administered daily for 12 days both intravenously as well as via intra-abdominal drains. Phage therapy was well-tolerated, the patient cleared S. maltophilia from their bloodstream and their intra-abdominal abscesses were stable or decreased in size. However, the intra-abdominal fluid cultures remained positive for S. maltophilia. Unfortunately, the patient passed away 2 months after completion of phage therapy due to multiorgan failure. These data highlight the difficulty of treating critically ill patients and clearing complex, biofilm-mediated infections, even with phages. More information is needed regarding the optimal treatment protocols for phage therapy in complex multifocal infections.