Phage anti-defense genes targeting NAD + metabolism and DNA replication are associated with a broad host range against Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Deletion of these genes collapsed the host spectrum from 109 strains to fewer than 10, significantly compromising antibacterial efficacy. The wild-type phage substantially improves survival in a mouse bacteremia model. Our study identifies candidate genetic factors associated with the broad host range phenotype, specifically targeting host immunity, and provides a new strategy for engineering therapeutic phages.
Authors
- Shengwei Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8849-265X)
- Zhenghao Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2047-5041)
- Yuanmeng Lv
- Kexuan Gao
- Keyu Zhu
- Jihong Dai
- Ruirui Hu
- Xinyao Xu
- Wei Ni
- Yuhui Li
- Bingbing Lei
- Yue Wang
- Wenjing Ge
- Yueren Xu
- Hui Li
- Xia Li
Institutions
- Shihezi University (CN)
- Xinjiang Medical University (CN)
- Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science (CN)
- Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Virulence
- Published
- 2026-08-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2026.2709261
- Primary Topic
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00