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Case Report: Bacteriophage-antibiotic therapy for extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in critically ill patient with respiratory infection

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDR A. baumannii ) poses a crucial challenge due to high mortality and limited therapies. Here, we report the successful application of phage-antibiotic synergy in a critically ill patient with two months of ineffective antibiotic treatment. The patient was diagnosed with severe pneumonia due to recurrent infection of XDR A. baumannii , causing severe pulmonary dysfunction. A nebulized phage inhalation combined with intravenous administration of polymyxin B, amikacin, and fosfomycin successfully brought about measurable clinical improvements in 8 days. The clearance of XDR A. baumannii in sputum cultures, coupled with decreased partial pressure of carbon dioxide, substantial absorption of bilateral pulmonary lesions, reduced density of residual infiltrates, and decreased pleural effusion in the patient, collectively confirmed therapeutic efficacy. Our case indicate that bacteriophage-antibiotic therapy is promising to prevent the emergence of resistant mutants and enhance antibacterial efficacy in patient with similar infections.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1716306

Authors: Jie Lin, Guiqin Dai, Lei Zhang, Pengli Xu, Pengfei Zhao, Yang Zhou, Hongzhou Lu, Mingbin Zheng

Institutions: Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Central South University, Guangdong Medical College

Language: English

Topic: Bacteriophages and microbial interactions

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801