Multi-Component Hydrogel Containing Stabilized, Encapsulated Bacteriophages for Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections

Infections due to drug resistant bacteria is of particular interest to military medics, given their implication and higher prevalence in combat wounds. Bacteriophages counter antibiotic resistant bacteria and are primarily encapsulated using liposomes or simple polymers, which require temperature-controlled preservation. This results in shorter shelf life, especially in austere conditions and limited applicability in combat conditions. We have developed multifunction, easy to apply nanofibrous hydrogels for healing wounds and injuries, especially in combat conditions. Herein, we propose to develop nanofibrous hydrogels that can not only encapsulate and stabilize viable phages, but also versatile enough to heal dermal, sub-cutaneous and deep-tissue wounds and injuries, especially those infected with drug resistant bacteria. The proposed hydrogel is intended to preserve bacteriophages at austere /non-ambient conditions. Thus, their viability will be tested at wide temperature ranges (-20°C to 45°C) for prolonged time periods (1-1.5 months) at various pH (4 to 9) conditions. The bactericidal property of the proposed phage encapsulated hydrogels will also be tested on 4 out of the 6 ESKAPE pathogens namely Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Upon successful completion of Phase I of the project, we anticipate their commercial development and subsequent Phase II and Phase III studies which will enable the medics to successfully treat wounds and injuries, infected with one or more bacteria, including the drug resistant ESKAPE pathogens in combat and other situations. Our versatile hydrogels will pave the way for an easily applicable novel technology for stable encapsulation of a wide range of bacteriophages. This technology will provide sustained release and higher therapeutic efficacy of phages, for quicker healing of infections thus significantly minimizing hospitalization time, suffering and the risk of amputation or death.