Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
New virus treatment tested for drug-resistant dog skin infections
By Wei, Yixian et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2025·College of Animal Science and Technology, China·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas phage HJ01 and its therapeutic efficacy in canine pyoderma.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with skin infections caused by a resistant bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa were treated with a special virus (phage HJ01) that targets this bacteria. The treatment involved injecting the phage under the skin, which significantly reduced itching, improved skin condition, and helped heal the skin lesions. Histopathology results showed faster skin repair and less inflammation in the dogs treated with the phage compared to those who did not receive it. This study suggests that phage therapy could be a promising alternative for treating stubborn skin infections in dogs.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major pathogen in canine pyoderma, with increasing antibiotic resistance necessitating the development of alternative therapies. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a lytic phage targeting multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in a canine pyoderma model. The key methods include isolation of phage HJ01 from wastewater, identification of genomic and biological characteristics, and subcutaneous injection of HJ01 in a canine pyoderma model induced by P. aeruginosa. RESULTS: The host strain GDPA-01 exhibited multidrug resistance, with a 75% resistance gene detection rate, and harbored virulence genes such as exoU and exoT. Phage HJ01, classified as Pakpunavirus, exhibited optimal activity at pH 6.0-8.0, thermal stability up to 50 °C, a latent period of 20 min, and a burst size of 52 PFU/cell. In vivo, compared with the controls, HJ01 significantly reduced pruritus, cytology, and skin lesion scores (p < 0.05). Histopathology confirmed that in dogs treated with HJ01, epidermal repair was accelerated and inflammation was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: HJ01 emerges as a promising therapeutic candidate for managing multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections in companion animals. This study pioneers the application of phage therapy in canine pyoderma, highlighting its potential to mitigate antibiotic overuse and address public health risks associated with zoonotic multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40618137/