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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.01.21.700822

Phage-meropenem synergy against OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates

Cantallops, I.·Ferriol-Gonzalez, C.·Barcos-Rodriguez, T.·Fernandez-Cuenca, F.·Canada-Garcia, J. E.·Garcia-Cobos, S.·Domingo-Calap, P.
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Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global healthcare crisis, driven by the rapid spread of resistant pathogens that compromise existing treatments. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major public health threat, requiring novel therapeutic strategies. Phage therapy, which employs phages to target bacterial pathogens, is a promising approach, particularly when combined with antibiotics to enhance efficacy through synergistic interactions. In this study, time-kill curve assays were used to evaluate the synergy between the lytic phage vB_Kpn_2-P4 and meropenem against twelve K. pneumoniae clinical isolates from Spanish hospitals that carried diverse carbapenemases. Notably, in OXA-48-producing isolates, this combination prevented the emergence of resistant mutants, highlighting the therapeutic potential of phage-antibiotic synergy. The observed effect, linked to the presence of the pOXA-48 plasmid, suggests a promising strategy for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.

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Cantallops, I., Ferriol-Gonzalez, C., Barcos-Rodriguez, T., Fernandez-Cuenca, F., Canada-Garcia, J. E., Garcia-Cobos, S., Domingo-Calap, P.. 2026-01-21. Phage-meropenem synergy against OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.21.700822

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