A Novel Therapeutic Approach: Phage and Alhagi Maurorum Synergy Against Kidney and Bladder Infection Caused by Proteus Mirabilis in Balb/C Mice Publisher

Summary: Can phages help tackle catheter-linked infections? Experimental work found a phage–plant extract combination improved clearance with longer treatment. #AntimicrobialResistance #PhageTherapy

Moghim S ; Choopani S ; Esfahani B N ; Pirnay J P ; Wagemans J ; Lavigne R ; Mirzaei A
Source: Scientifica Published:2026

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) caused by Proteus mirabilis biofilms present significant challenges due to escalating multidrug resistance, highlighting the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. This study evaluates a novel combinatorial approach employing a cocktail of two lytic bacteriophages (Isf-Pm1 and Isf-Pm2) in conjunction with Alhagi maurorum ethanolic extract (AME) to reduce bacterial burden in an established murine model of catheter-associated infection. We hypothesized that the synergistic activity of phages and AME would enhance treatment efficacy, impede resistance development, and promote infection clearance. Using a catheterized BALB/c mouse model with five experimental groups (n = 6 per group), we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of the phage–AME combination across varying dosages and treatment durations. Bacterial load (CFU/mL) was quantified from homogenized kidney and bladder tissues following treatment. The combination of phages at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1 and AME at 750 mg/kg administered over 7 days produced the most pronounced antibacterial effect, achieving a 7-log10 reduction in renal bacterial counts and a 5.3-log10 reduction in bladder bacterial counts. Notably, extending the treatment duration from 3 to 7 days significantly enhanced bacterial clearance in renal tissues (p < 0.0001), highlighting the critical importance of prolonged therapy for optimizing outcomes. Our findings demonstrate that both dosage and treatment duration significantly influence the therapeutic efficacy of the phage–AME combination, emphasizing the necessity of protocol optimization to improve clinical outcomes for patients with kidney and bladder infections. Collectively, this study presents a promising, mechanistically grounded alternative strategy for combating biofilm-associated CAUTIs and warrants further translational investigation. Copyright © 2026 Sharareh Moghim et al. Scientifica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.