Patient-specific Escherichia coli strains (E. coli)

Patient-specific Escherichia coli strains refer to unique bacterial isolates identified within an individual patient that contribute to specific disease pathologies, such as sepsis, urinary tract infections, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1, 3]. Unlike traditional broad-spectrum antibiotics that indiscriminately affect the entire microbiome, targeting these specific strains represents a precision medicine approach designed to eliminate pathogens while preserving beneficial commensal bacteria [1, 2]. For example, adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) strains are frequently implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease by colonizing the intestinal mucosa and triggering chronic inflammation [3]. Therapeutic strategies currently in development include CRISPR-Cas-armed bacteriophages and personalized phage cocktails that are engineered to recognize and kill only the specific E. coli strains isolated from the patient [1, 2, 4]. These therapies, such as SNIPR001, utilize CRISPR-Cas systems to induce sequence-specific DNA double-strand breaks in the target bacteria, leading to rapid cell death [1]. The identification and targeting of these strains rely heavily on genomic sequencing and phenotypic characterization to ensure high specificity and efficacy [1, 5]. This precision approach aims to reduce the risk of dysbiosis and the systemic side effects often associated with conventional antimicrobial therapy [1, 3].

Other names

Autologous Escherichia coliPatient-derived Escherichia coliAdherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC)Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)Commensal-turned-pathogenic E. coli

CRISPR-Cas mediated sequence-specific DNA cleavage and bacteriophage-induced bacterial cell lysis [1, 2].