Evidence status of capsule-resolved phage recognition in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: receptor specificity, depolymerase coverage, and precision phage therapy readiness
Authors
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Reuben Maghembe
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Samweli Bahati
Abstract
The study examines the growing potential of bacteriophages and phage-derived enzymes as precision approaches against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae.
The authors highlight how capsule diversity, receptor-binding proteins, tailspikes, and capsule depolymerases shape phage recognition and host range. The review also introduces an evidence-based framework distinguishing phage-visible, partially visible, uncertain, and phage-dark candidate capsule backgrounds.
Importantly, the article emphasizes that successful precision phage therapy requires more than identifying active phages. It requires capsule-resolved bacterial characterization, host-range testing, receptor and depolymerase validation, defence-system profiling, quality-controlled manufacturing, and clinical matching.
Summary as published by the college when announcing this work. See the journal article for the full abstract.
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