Bacteriophage therapy for Escherichia coli-induced urinary tract infection in rats.

Background: The present study evaluates the efficacy of bacteriophage therapy for urinary tract infection (UTI) in rats. Methods: UTI was established by inoculating Escherichia coli (100 µl) at a concentration of 1.5 × 108 CFU/ml per urethra via a cannula in different groups of rats. For treatment, phage cocktails (200 µl) were administered at varying concentrations of 1 × 108 PFU/ml, 1 × 107 PFU/ml and 1 × 106 PFU/ml. Results: The two doses of phage cocktail at the first two concentrations resulted in the cure of UTI. However, the lowest concentration of the phage cocktail warranted more doses to eradicate the causative bacteria. Conclusion: The quantity, frequency and safety of doses could be optimized in a rodent model using the urethral route.

Antimicrobial resistance is primarily caused by antibiotic overuse and misuse, which results in a decline in the ability of antibiotics to treat infections. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common but difficult to treat, as they are frequently caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Escherichia coli is a common cause of UTIs. Bacteriophages are a potentially viable alternative for the treatment of bacterial infections, and despite the numerous benefits of using phages as antibacterial therapeutics, there are surprisingly few original research articles based on clinical trials, specifically against UTIs. In this study, the efficiency of a customized bacteriophage cocktail for the treatment of UTIs, with varied doses administered directly into the urinary bladder of rats, was evaluated. At higher concentrations, UTIs were completely eradicated after two doses of the bacteriophage cocktail. However, at lower concentrations, additional doses were required to eradicate the infection. Phage therapy appears to have therapeutic potential, and this study indicates the potential frequency of dosages at appropriate concentrations. Phage therapy was both effective and safe.

Impact of Safe Rock® Minerals, Mineral Fertilizers, and Manure on the Quantity and Quality of the Wheat Yield in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System.

Rice-wheat (RW) rotation is the largest agriculture production system in South Asia with a multifaceted role in maintaining the livelihood of people. The customary practices and indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizers have culminated in the decline of its productivity and profitability during the past two decades, thus affecting the sustainability of wheat. Safe Rock® Minerals (SRM) is a multi-nutrient rich natural rock mineral with great potential to manage soil degradation, reducing the input of fertilizers, improving soil fertility, and plant health. Thus, a field trial was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi from 2016 to 2018 to evaluate the impact of Safe Rock® Minerals (SRM) on biometric parameters, productivity, quality, and nutrient uptake by conventional wheat and System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) in the wheat-rice cropping system. The results indicate that SWI performed better in terms of growth, yield, and quality parameters than conventional wheat. Among nutrient management practices; the highest growth, yield, and yield attributes of wheat were achieved with the use of SRM application 250 kg ha-1 + 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF). SRM application also increased grain protein content significantly. In conclusion, the integrated use of SRM with organic manures can serve as an eco-friendly approach for sustainable wheat production.