BACTERIOPHAGE HAVING MODIFIED HOLIN AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention features composition and methods for treating a bacterial infection using therapeutic bacteriophage having a modified holin gene. The modified holin inactivates the bacterial host prior to production of bacteriophage, so that the bacteriophage infection is non-productive, e.g., few or no bacteriophage are produced as a result of infection of the bacterial host. Thus, holin-modified bacteriophage invade the bacterial host, and cause inactivation of the bacterial host prior to production of a detectable or significant number of phage. Holin-modified phage inhibit the spread of bacterial infection without production of a significant or detectable number of phage progeny. By avoiding the release of phage progeny, the potential for generation of immune responses against the phage is reduced.