Nebulized Bacteriophage in a Patient With Refractory Mycobacterium abscessus Lung Disease

An elderly man with refractory Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease previously developed anti-phage neutralizing antibodies while receiving intravenous phage therapy. Subsequent phage nebulization resulted in transient weight gain, decreased C-reactive protein, and reduced Mycobacterium burden. Weak sputum neutralization may have limited the outcomes, but phage resistance was not a contributing factor.

Automated summary

An elderly man with refractory Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease developed neutralizing antibodies during intravenous phage therapy. Nebulization therapy with phages resulted in temporary weight gain, decreased C-reactive protein levels, and reduced Mycobacterium burden. Weak sputum neutralization may have affected the outcomes, but phage resistance did not contribute.