Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases are plasmid (but
also chromosomally) encoded enzymes found in Enterobacteriaceae, determining
resistance to a variety of important antibiotics including penicillins,
cephalosporins, and monobactams. In recent decades, the prevalence of ESBL
/AmpC-producing bacteria has increased rapidly across the world. Here, we
evaluate the potential use of bacteriophages in terms of a reduction of
antibiotic-resistant bacteria in healthy animals. The aim of our studies was
to isolate bacteriophages capable of destroying ESBL/AmpC-producing
Escherichia coli isolated from livestock habitats. The efficacy of isolated
phages against ESBL/AmpC E. coli strains varies, but creation of a phage
cocktail with broad activity spectrum is possible. This may indicate that the
role of phages may not be limited to phage therapy, but bacterial viruses may
also be applied against spread of bacteria with antibiotic resistance genes in
the environment. We also addressed the hypothesis, that phages, effective for
therapeutic purposes may be isolated from distant places and even from
different environments other than the actual location of the targeted
bacteria. This may be beneficial for practical purposes, as the construction
of effective phage preparations does not require access to disease outbreaks