Bacteriophage treatment for Mycobacterium abscessus lung infection
In vivo assessment and optimization of phage PK/PD for the treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection
This research tests whether virus-based treatments called bacteriophages can reach and reduce drug-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus infections in the lungs of people with underlying lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259579 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use bacteriophages derived from recent clinical treatments together with a mouse model of M. abscessus lung infection to learn how phages move through the body and how long they persist. They will collect time-course data on phage levels (pharmacokinetics) and on how phages reduce bacterial burden (pharmacodynamics), and will examine lung tissue to see where phages and bacteria localize. The team will also analyze lung pathology and breathing function to link phage exposure with treatment effects, with the goal of improving dosing and delivery for future human use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infections—especially those with underlying lung disease and infections resistant to available antibiotics—are the population most likely to benefit from this line of work.
Not a fit: Patients with non-pulmonary infections, infections caused by bacteria not susceptible to the phages studied, or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to directly benefit from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide safer, more effective phage dosing and delivery and help develop new treatment options for people with drug-resistant M. abscessus lung infections.
How similar studies have performed: There are promising compassionate-use case reports showing phage therapy can help some patients with NTM infections, but systematic PK/PD data and controlled clinical trials are still lacking.
Where this research is happening
Fort Collins, United States
- Colorado State University — Fort Collins, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braunstein, Miriam S. — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Braunstein, Miriam S.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.