Faculty mentor/PI email address
carabetta@rowan.edu
Keywords
Acinetobacter baumannii, multidrug resistance (MDR), bacteriophage therapy, antibiotic resensitization, phage-antibiotic synergy, gentamicin
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen notorious for causing severe infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with prolonged hospitalizations or invasive procedures1. Originally susceptible to many antibiotics in the 1970s, this bacterium has since evolved extensive resistance, making it one of the most challenging members of the ESKAPE group of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens2. Its ability to survive in harsh environments and acquire resistance determinants has led to its classification as a “red alert” pathogen by health authorities worldwide. The increasing prevalence of MDR A. baumannii infections in healthcare settings underscores an urgent need for alternative treatment strategies as conventional antibiotics lose their effectiveness1.
One promising approach is bacteriophage therapy, which uses bacterial viruses that specifically target specific species or strains. This narrow spectrum of activity is advantageous, as the native, beneficial microbiota will not be harmed during treatment. A landmark case highlighting its potential involved Tom Patterson, a patient with a disseminated pandrug-resistant (PDR) A. baumannii infection unresponsive to all available antibiotics at the time. Through an emergency investigational process, a personalized cocktail of bacteriophages was developed and administered alongside antibiotics, leading to dramatic clinical improvement 2. This case, along with emerging preclinical data, suggests that combining phages with antibiotics can resensitize resistant strains, restoring antibiotic efficacy through mechanisms such as capsule modification and reduced virulence.
In this study, we sought to explore such synergistic effects by evaluating phage-antibiotic combinations against a highly drug-resistant clinical isolate of A. baumannii. We tested different multiplicities of infection (MOIs) of phage, alongside antibiotics using growth curve and time-kill assays to identify combinations that enhance bacterial susceptibility and would ultimately improve treatment outcomes.
Disciplines
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses | Chemicals and Drugs | Medicine and Health Sciences
Resensitization of Clinical Isolates of MDR-Acinetobacter baumannii to antibiotics using bacteriophage therapy
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen notorious for causing severe infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with prolonged hospitalizations or invasive procedures1. Originally susceptible to many antibiotics in the 1970s, this bacterium has since evolved extensive resistance, making it one of the most challenging members of the ESKAPE group of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens2. Its ability to survive in harsh environments and acquire resistance determinants has led to its classification as a “red alert” pathogen by health authorities worldwide. The increasing prevalence of MDR A. baumannii infections in healthcare settings underscores an urgent need for alternative treatment strategies as conventional antibiotics lose their effectiveness1.
One promising approach is bacteriophage therapy, which uses bacterial viruses that specifically target specific species or strains. This narrow spectrum of activity is advantageous, as the native, beneficial microbiota will not be harmed during treatment. A landmark case highlighting its potential involved Tom Patterson, a patient with a disseminated pandrug-resistant (PDR) A. baumannii infection unresponsive to all available antibiotics at the time. Through an emergency investigational process, a personalized cocktail of bacteriophages was developed and administered alongside antibiotics, leading to dramatic clinical improvement 2. This case, along with emerging preclinical data, suggests that combining phages with antibiotics can resensitize resistant strains, restoring antibiotic efficacy through mechanisms such as capsule modification and reduced virulence.
In this study, we sought to explore such synergistic effects by evaluating phage-antibiotic combinations against a highly drug-resistant clinical isolate of A. baumannii. We tested different multiplicities of infection (MOIs) of phage, alongside antibiotics using growth curve and time-kill assays to identify combinations that enhance bacterial susceptibility and would ultimately improve treatment outcomes.