Bacteriophage versus antimicrobial agents for the treatment of murine burn wound infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055

This study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of silver nitrate and gentamicin in the treatment of burn wound infection and to compare it with phage therapy using an isolated and well-characterized Kiebsiella-specific phage, Kpn5. A full-thickness burn wound was induced in mice and infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055 via the topical route. Different concentrations of silver nitrate or gentamicin were applied topically daily after establishment of infection. Phage Kpn5 mixed in hydrogel was also applied topically at an m.o.i. of 200 on the burn wound site. The efficacy of these antimicrobial agents was assessed on the basis of percentage survival of infected mice following treatment. The results showed that a single dose of phage Kpn5 resulted in a significant reduction in mortality (P<0.001). Daily applications of silver nitrate and gentamicin at 0.50/0 and 1000 mg l(-1), respectively, provided significant protection (P<0.001) compared to lower concentrations of the two agents. However, the level of protection given by these two agents was lower than that given by the phage therapy. The results strongly suggest that phage Kpn5 has therapeutic utility in treating burn wound infection in mice as a single topical application of this phage was able to rescue mice from infection caused by K. pneumoniae B5055 in comparison to multiple applications of silver nitrate and gentamicin.