Difference between revisions of "Phage therapy"

:'''Pilot Project Aims'''

'''Isolate N. gonorrhoeae from 10 patients'''. We are currently in negotiations with local clinics (ie. Berkeley Free Clinic, Magnet, City Clinic of San Francisco and St. James Infirmary) to enroll patients in our pilot study. Briefly, patients who are screened by these clinics and test positive for oropharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae will be provided with information on our study. Within the informational packet, patients will find their assigned Patient ID and use this number to schedule an in-house visit. The Patient ID allows the patient to remain anonymous during our screening process. During their primary visit, patients will provide their consent, sign liability waivers, fill out our surveillance survey, and provide us with an oropharyngeal specimen. Patients can then use their Patient ID to track the results from their specimen using our anonymous web tracking system.

 

Primary gonococcal cultures will be grown on Modified Thayer-Martin (MTM) medium containing chocolate agar (5% SRBC), Vancomycin, Colistin, Nystatin and SXT. This medium allows selective growth of Neisseria species. Primary cultures will be propagated in tryptic soy broth (TSB) according to the standards set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (REF).  

 

Upon primary culture and propagation, N. gonorrhoeae samples will be confirmed using nucleic acid testing. A panel of polymerase chain reactions will be performed on DNA isolated from bacterial cultures. These panels will be performed to (1) identify genes responsible for 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-generation antibiotic resistance, (2) differentiate N. gonorrhoeae from other Neisseria species. The differentiation PCR will be confirmed using CTA sugar growth testing as described by the CDC (REF). Briefly, isolates will be assessed for their ability to grow in Glucose, Maltose, Lactose and Sucrose. N. gonorrhoeae is able to only grow in glucose.

 

'''Isolate ARNG-derived bacteriophage from 10 patients'''.  

 

'''Characterize ARNG-derived bacteriophage from 10 patients'''.

 

'''Conduct proof-of-concept lysis experiments'''.