Bayesian evaluation of phage therapy efficacy against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of bacteriophage therapy in combating Acinetobacter baumannii, a pathogen known for its multidrug resistance, through the application of Bayesian statistical models. The research focuses on measuring survival outcomes in preclinical animal models that have been treated with bacteriophages, highlighting the promise of Bayesian methods in tackling the uncertainties present in biological data.

Methodology

We carried out a systematic review, focusing on identifying pertinent studies regarding phage therapy in animal models. Bayesian exploratory data analysis was utilized to evaluate survival rates among three species: rodents, Galleria mellonella, and zebrafish. Various prior distributions were utilized in sensitivity analyses to assess the reliability of the results.

Results

The study showed that groups that were treated with phage therapy had much higher survival rates across all experimental models. In untreated groups, survival rates for rodents ranged from 20% to 40%, while treated groups saw an increase to between 60% and 80%. Survival rates went up in the G. mellonella and zebrafish models. They went from 30% to 50% in the untreated groups to 70%–90% and 70%–80%, respectively, in the treated groups. The analysis demonstrated the reliability of these findings, showing consistent survival advantages across different prior assumptions.

Practical implications

The results support the clinical development of phage therapy as a possible way to treat infections that are resistant to multiple drugs. The use of Bayesian methods provides a strong foundation for assessing therapeutic effectiveness, especially in situations where conventional statistical approaches might fall short.

Originality/value

In this study, Bayesian methods are used in a new way to figure out how well phage therapy works. This shows that they can handle variation and uncertainty in preclinical studies. This research adds to the increasing body of evidence that highlights phage therapy as a viable alternative to traditional antibiotics.