Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Efficacy of diversely isolated lytic phages against multi-drug resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolates in Kenya
Submitted: 13 July 2021 | Published: 11 August 2022
About the author(s)
Ivy J. Mutai, Phage Biology Laboratory, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya; and, Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, KenyaAngela A. Juma, Phage Biology Laboratory, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
Martin I. Inyimili, Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Atunga Nyachieo, Phage Biology Laboratory, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
Anthony K. Nyamache, Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract
Background: Enterobacter cloacae causes nosocomial infections in 15% of patients in low- and middle-income countries with emergence of carbapenem resistance. The utilisation of bacteriophages for therapeutic purposes is crucial for eradicating these resistant bacterial strains.
Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of lytic phages on bacterial isolates of E. cloacae and determined their stability in various physicochemical conditions.
Methods: Twenty-nine lytic phages were isolated from the waste water of six informal settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya, from July 2019 to December 2020 and cross-reacted with 30 anonymised clinical isolates of E. cloacae. Six phages were then selected for physicochemical property studies. Phages were described as potent upon lysing any bacterial strain in the panel.
Results: Selected phages were stable at 4 °C – 50 °C with a 5.1% decrease in titre in four of six phages and a 1.8% increase in titre in two of six phages at 50 °C. The phages were efficient following two weeks incubation at 4 °C with optimal activity at human body temperature (37 °C) and an optimal pH of 7.5. Phages were active at 0.002 M and 0.015 M concentrations of Ca2+ ions. The efficiency of all phages decreased with increased exposure to ultraviolet light. All phages (n = 29) showed cross-reactivity against anonymised clinical isolates of E. cloacae strains (n = 30). The most potent phage lysed 67.0% of bacterial strains; the least potent phage lysed 27.0%.
Conclusion: This study reveals the existence of therapeutic phages in Kenya that are potent enough for treatment of multi-drug resistant E. cloacae.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 4102Total article views: 5797
Crossref Citations
1. Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Kenya: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence, Resistance and Mitigation Strategies
Samuel K. Ndegwa, Ivy J. Mutai, Linet Lusimba, Amos Lucky Mhone, Jael Apondi Obiero, Ely Aboka, Nelson Wachira, Elkana Mudi, Alice Auko Owiti, Cateline Ouma, Gloria Maleche, Festus Nyamweya, James Munyao Kingoo, Victor Irungu Mwangi, Eric Omori Omwenga, Kevin Mbogo Omolo, Anthony Kebira Nyamache, Atunga Nyachieo
Tropical Medicine & International Health year: 2026
doi: 10.1111/tmi.70094
2.
Complete genome sequences of 12 lytic phages against multidrug-resistant
Enterococcus faecalis
Oumarou Soro, Collins Kigen, Andrew Nyerere, Moses Gachoya, James Wachira, Vanessa Onyonyi, Martin Georges, Allan Wataka, Stephen Ondolo, Karen Cherono, Erick Odoyo, Lillian Musila, Catherine Putonti
Microbiology Resource Announcements vol: 13 issue: 10 year: 2024
doi: 10.1128/mra.00687-24
3. A Brief History of Phage Research and Teaching in Africa
Tobi E. Nagel, Ivy J. Mutai, Theodore Josephs, Martha R.J. Clokie
PHAGE vol: 3 issue: 4 first page: 184 year: 2022
doi: 10.1089/phage.2022.29037.inp
4.
Complete genome sequences of four lytic bacteriophages against multidrug-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
Oumarou Soro, Collins Kigen, Andrew Nyerere, Moses Gachoya, James Wachira, Vanessa Onyonyi, Martin Georges, Allan Wataka, Stephen Ondolo, Karen Cherono, Erick Odoyo, Lillian Musila, Catherine Putonti
Microbiology Resource Announcements vol: 13 issue: 10 year: 2024
doi: 10.1128/mra.00688-24
5. Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages with lytic activity against multidrug-resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella from Nairobi City county, Kenya
Michael Mugo, Abednego Musyoki, Angela Makumi, Ivy Mutai, Kelvin Kering, Peter Muturi, Collins Kebenei, Kristin Weber, Michael Pietsch, Tanja Pilz, Oliver Drechsel, Tobias Hoffmann, Lothar Wieler, Cecilia Mbae, Antje Flieger, Samuel Kariuki
BMC Infectious Diseases vol: 25 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.1186/s12879-025-11325-3
6. Isolation, Molecular and Physicochemical Characterization of a Novel Lytic Phage Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae
Irene K. Lweikiza, Ivy J. Mutai, Justus Nyongesa, Angela A. Juma, Abraham O. Ochieng, James Wachira, Collins Kigen, John M. Maingi, Anthony K. Nyamache, Atunga Nyachieo
PHAGE year: 2025
doi: 10.1177/26416549251406417
7. Characterization and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Lytic Enterococcus Phage vB_Efs8_KEN04 against Clinical Isolates of Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Kenya
Oumarou Soro, Collins Kigen, Andrew Nyerere, Moses Gachoya, Martin Georges, Erick Odoyo, Lillian Musila
Viruses vol: 16 issue: 8 first page: 1275 year: 2024
doi: 10.3390/v16081275
8. Chitosan nano-formulation enhances stability and bactericidal activity of the lytic phage HK6
Hasnaa R. Temsaah, Karim Abdelkader, Amr E. Ahmed, Nada Elgiddawy, Zienab E. Eldin, Hend Ali Elshebrawy, Nahed Gomaa Kasem, Fatma A. El-Gohary, Ahmed. F. Azmy
BMC Biotechnology vol: 25 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.1186/s12896-024-00934-6
9. Bacteriophage applications and future prospects for addressing challenges in African agrifood systems
Anayochukwu Chibuike Ngene, Uzal Umar
Discover Food vol: 5 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.1007/s44187-025-00693-z
10. Isolation, characterization, and application of lytic bacteriophages for controlling Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) in pasteurized milk and yogurt
Mohamed A. Nasr-Eldin, Eman Gamal, Mahmoud Hazza, Sabah A. Abo-Elmaaty
Folia Microbiologica vol: 68 issue: 6 first page: 911 year: 2023
doi: 10.1007/s12223-023-01059-7
11. Therapeutic Potential of a Novel Lytic Phage, vB_EclM_ECLFM1, against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae
Saieeda Fabia Ali, Soon-Hian Teh, Hsueh-Hui Yang, Yun-Chan Tsai, Huei-Jen Chao, Si-Shiuan Peng, Shu-Chen Chen, Ling-Chun Lin, Nien-Tsung Lin
International Journal of Molecular Sciences vol: 25 issue: 2 first page: 854 year: 2024
doi: 10.3390/ijms25020854