# Genomic and functional characterization of a lytic Klebsiella phage UHKP with antibiofilm activity

## TL;DR

This paper describes a new lytic phage UHKP that can kill multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and disrupt its biofilms.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the genomic and functional characterization of a new phage UHKP with antibiofilm activity against MDR Klebsiella strains.

## Key findings

- UHKP effectively kills multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in planktonic and biofilm cultures.
- The phage has a narrow host range, lysing only specific MDR strains and a K-17 serotype.
- Genome analysis shows UHKP belongs to the genus Lastavirus and lacks harmful genes like lysogeny or antibiotic resistance.

## Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen causing severe hospital-acquired infections, and it rapidly acquires multidrug resistance. Its robust biofilm formation further complicates treatment and drives interest in phage therapy. A phage UHKP was isolated from hospital sewage using an MDR K. pneumoniae strain (KP-03). UHKP formed clear plaques and having phage titer 2.3 × 109 PFU/mL. Host-range testing on 19 clinical isolates showed a narrow spectrum. Only four MDR strains (KP-03, KP-05, KP-08, KP-11) and one K-17 serotype were lysed, with no activity on other strains or species. One-step growth analysis yielded a 30 min latent period and 85 PFU burst size. In planktonic culture, UHKP at MOI 1 stopped bacterial growth by 4 h and cleared cultures by 8 h, whereas at MOI 0.1 killing was delayed and incomplete. In static biofilm assays, UHKP eradicated 98% of 24-h and 96% of 48-h biofilm biomass by 24 h (MOI 1). Clearance of 72 – 96 h biofilms was limited (≤ 87% by 24 h). UHKP possesses an icosahedral head of 56 ± 3 nm and a short, non-contractile tail measuring around 15 ± 2 nm. Genome sequencing revealed a 62,542 bp dsDNA genome (56.6% GC) encoding 77 ORFs, and phylogenetic analysis placed UHKP in the genus Lastavirus. UHKP carries no lysogeny, toxin or antibiotic-resistance genes.