The efficacy of bacteriophages in destroying biofilms on urinary catheters in experimental in vitro and in vivo models

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Abstract

Introduction. The formation of biofilms by healthcare-associated infection (HAI) pathogens on invasive medical devices is an increasingly urgent problem in clinical practice. Microbial biofilms contribute to persistent infections, complicate treatment, increase healthcare costs, and reduce the quality of patient care. The resistance of biofilm-embedded bacteria to antibiotics is a key factor in chronic and recurrent infections. In this context, bacteriophages may serve as a promising therapeutic agent against bacterial infections, including those caused by biofilm-forming microorganisms.

Objective. To assess the efficacy of lytic bacteriophages in disrupting microbial biofilms on urinary catheters using in vitro and in vivo experimental models.

Materials and methods. The study employed microbiological, morphological, and electron microscopy techniques. In vitro, biofilms were cultured on urinary catheter surfaces and subsequently treated with bacteriophages. For the in vivo model, catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) was induced in mice, which were then divided into experimental and control groups. Bacteriophages were administered transurethrally.

Results. In the in vitro model, bacteriophages effectively disrupted biofilms, inducing bacterial cell lysis and degradation of the exopolysaccharide matrix. In the in vivo experiments, mice treated with bacteriophages exhibited regression of CAUTI, as confirmed by morphological and bacteriological analyses. Electron microscopy revealed biofilm destruction on 5 out of 6 catheters. In contrast, the positive control group showed progressive infection, while no biofilm formation was observed in the negative controls.

Conclusions. The findings from both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that bacteriophages are capable of degrading biofilms and may represent an effective therapeutic strategy against biofilm-associated HAIs.

About the authors

Batyrbek I. Aslanov

North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza

Email: batyrbek.aslanov@szgmu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6890-8096

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Director, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Head, Department of epidemiology, parasitology and disinfection, North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; leading researcher, Biotechnology depatment, Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg; St. Petersburg

Sergei D. Konev

Saint Petersburg State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: sd-konev@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1919-4725

Head, Epidemiology department, N.I. Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Maria A. Makarova

North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institute

Email: makmaria@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3600-2377

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, leading researcher, Head, Laboratory of intestinal infections, Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institute; Professor, Department of medical microbiology, North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg; St. Petersburg

Nariman K. Gadzhiev

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: nariman.gadjiev@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6255-0193

D. Sci. (Med.), urologist, deputy chief physician, Medical department (Urology), N.I. Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies; Professor, Urology department, Medical Institute, Saint Petersburg State University

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Ivan A. Gorgotsky

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: igorgotsky@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8514-5510

Cand. Sci. (Med.), urologist, deputy chief physician for outpatient clinical care, N.I. Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies; Associate Professor, Urology department, Medical Institute, Saint Petersburg State University

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Alexey G. Kulyash

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: kulyash_patolog@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9916-6232

Head, Laboratory of molecular genetic research, N.I. Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Konstantin V. Rozhkovan

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: tomcat-27@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8403-8342

Cand. Sci. (Biol.), biologist, Laboratory of molecular genetic research, N.I. Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Marina L. Vasyutina

Almazov National Medical Research Centre

Email: raluwow@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3295-8411

researcher, Laboratory of bioprosthetics and cardioprotection, Institute of Experimental Medicine

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Lada A. Murashova

Almazov National Medical Research Centre

Email: barbosachka85@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7155-1078

junior researcher, Research on neurogenesis and neurodegenerative diseases

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Anton S. Loshachenko

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: a.loshachenko@spbu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1058-3452

Cand. Sci. (Phys., Math.), Director, Interdisciplinary Resource Center for Nanotechnology

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Vera V. Bryukhanova

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: verabryu@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9862-1387

engineer, Interdisciplinary Resource Center for Nanotechnology

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Oksana V. Rybalchenko

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: o.rybalchenko@spbu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9758-0053

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Department of physiology

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Anton S. Bondarenko

Scientific Technologies and Service LLC

Email: bond.anton@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7707-1710

Cand. Sci. (Phys., Math.), technical director

Russian Federation, Chernogolovka

Anastasia M. Konstantinova

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: anastasia.konstantynova@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2595-2249

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Head, Department of pathology, N.I. Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Boris E. Galkovsky

Saint Petersburg State University

Email: mrc4se@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5252-483X

Cand. Sci. (Med.), pathologist, Department of pathology, N.I. Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

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Copyright (c) 2025 Aslanov B.I., Konev S.D., Makarova M.A., Gadzhiev N.K., Gorgotsky I.A., Kulyash A.G., Rozhkovan K.V., Vasyutina M.L., Murashova L.A., Loshachenko A.S., Bryukhanova V.V., Rybalchenko O.V., Bondarenko A.S., Konstantinova A.M., Galkovsky B.E.

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