Bacteriophage Found to Reduce Key E. Coli Virulence in Crohn’s Disease Model

A bacteriophage isolated by researchers disables a key virulence mechanism in adherent invasive E. The phage reduced colitis severity in laboratory mice and improved the performance of low doses of the anti-inflammatory drug budesonide.

The work focused on bacterial strains that adhere to and invade intestinal tissue, a process tied to inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Researchers tested the phage in mouse models of colitis. Treated animals showed lower disease activity compared with untreated controls.

The phage also enhanced the effect of budesonide when the steroid was given at reduced doses. No specific human clinical data were included in the report. Further studies would be required to determine whether the approach could be developed for human use.