Express method for determining the sensitivity of pathogens of bacterial complications in COVID-19 to bacteriophages

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a catastrophic increase in the resistance of bacterial strains to antibacterial drugs. The spread of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 has led to excessive use of antibiotics, which has caused an even wider spread of resistant strains in hospitals. Taking into account the accumulated positive experience of using bacteriophages, it is advisable to use them for the treatment of patients after determining the sensitivity of each strain of isolated bacteria to bacteriophages. Since, according to numerous sources, Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria were most often isolated in complicated forms of COVID-19, it became necessary to quickly determine the sensitivity of these and other gram-negative bacteria to the corresponding bacteriophages. The developed express method for determining the sensitivity of gram-negative bacteria to bacteriophages makes it possible to reduce the study time by 6 times, namely up to 3 hours. This will significantly reduce the timing of the selection of etiotropic therapy in the form of bacteriophages for individual therapy of patients.