The researchers evaluated the efficacy in vivo and in vitro of a novel combined host- and pathogen- directed therapeutic approach, based on bioactive liposomes (host-directed therapy, HDT) and phages (pathogen-directed therapy, PDT) against Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab). As the identification of Mab specific phages did not result in potential phage candidates so far, the therapeutic value of the combined strategy was assessed by using the antibiotic amikacin (AMK) as PDT. The results show that liposome-based HDT enhances antimycobacterial response, in infection models i) in vitro on macrophages from CF patients and ii) in in vivo on CF mice, where it induces a significant decrease of leucocyte recruitment and a reduction of about 200-fold of pulmonary mycobacterial burden. Such microbicidal and anti-inflammatory action is further enhanced in the presence of the combined treatment with AMK. The results obtained by the researchers offer the basis for the development of a new combined therapeutic regimen based on bioactive liposomes and antibiotics, which can be used against Mab infections in patients with CF.

Pubblications

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