Use of phage applications to combat MRSA at the sow-piglet interface to reduce exposure of staff and contamination of the environment (PHAGE-EX)
05/2022-04/2025
Funding programme / funding institution: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) - Deutschland
Grant number: 01KI2209A
Project homepage: -
Project description:
The aim of the project is to reduce transmission of MRSA from sows to their offspring by using custom made phage cocktails. This is supposed to lay the foundation for MRSA-control in pig farms by producing MRSA negative piglets from positive sows in high level breeding herds. Moreover we will try to reduce the exposure of farm staff and the environment to MRSA. Finally we aim to assess the side effects of the use of phages on the non-target microbiota to assess the risks to consumers. To this end, we will first isolate and characterize MRSAphages, and design phage cocktails that we test against MRSA on surfaces and in vitro. We will also identify the most suitable application methods for the phages. Combining the most efficient cocktail with the most efficient application method we will test the phages against MRSA in an animal experiment with sows and piglets. In case of success we will scale the trial up to a semi-commercial pig farm. Finally, all experimental data will be used in models on the spread and control of MRSA.
Project partners
- Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA) - Deutschland
- Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA) Uppsala - Schweden
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI) Oslo - Norwegen
- Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien (VUW) - Österreich