RESUMEN
Background: Bacteriophages offer one of the most promising solutions to the challenges of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. The aim of this study is to investigate bacteriophages as a source of new antimicrobial therapy. Methodology: Waste water samples were randomly collected from 8 different locations in the city of Lomé for bacteriophage isolation. The phages were isolated using multi-resistant clinical isolates (Escherichia coli 1642 and Staphylococcus aureus 0868) as hosts by means of a spot test. The host range of the phages was determined also by a spot test using 8 other clinical bacterial isolates including two reference strains (E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213). The virulence of the phages and their effects on bacterial growth were assessed by in vitro experiments using E. coli 1642 BBec phage suspension. Results: Isolation of phages by the spot test was positive only with the host E. coli 1642. A reduced host range was observed with the other bacteria. The BBec phage suspension showed a titer of 1.6 x 107 PFU/ml. Virulence studies revealed a latency time of less than 10 minutes, a degree of absorption of 87% and a burst size of 63 PFU/cell. The effect of BBec phage suspension on E. coli 1642 showed an almost total reduction in the population of E. coli 1642 after 4 hours. Conclusion: This study provided scientific data showing the antibacterial effect of a phage suspension (BBec) on a multi-resistant clinical isolate of E. coli 1642. This phage could therefore be explored as a candidate for the development of new antibacterial therapies.