Isolation of Bacteriophage Kp14 and Its Combination of Various Antibiotics against Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a critical pathogen frequently encountered in healthcare environments and is associated with a range of severe infections, including urinary tract infections, septicemia, meningitis, pneumonia, and surgical site infections. Furthermore, this bacterium can impact healthy, young individuals globally, rendering it a significant public health concern. Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically infect bacteria, present a promising alternative for the treatment of bacterial infections. The synergy between bacteriophages and antibiotics represents an effective therapeutic strategy, as it enhances antimicrobial efficacy and diminishes the likelihood of resistance development. This study assessed the in vitro activity of antibiotics, both independently and in conjunction with an isolated, specific bacteriophage, against a clinical strain of K. pneumoniae. A clinical K. pneumoniae strain was employed to isolate lytic bacteriophages. The lytic bacteriophage Kp14, isolated from lake water, produced clear plaques. The effects of combined treatments involving four antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, amikacin, meropenem, and ceftazidime) and the isolated bacteriophage were evaluated utilizing the Time–Kill Curve method. Synergistic activity was observed for ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime at both 1×MIC and 4×MIC, whereas synergism was observed for meropenem and amikacin at 4×MIC. Our findings demonstrate that bacteriophage therapy, when used in conjunction with conventional antibiotics, may serve as an effective alternative treatment for K. pneumoniae infections.