PLOS Biology · 22 September 2026 · From issue 41
Antibodies targeting phage fiber and nozzle proteins impair Acinetobacter baumannii phage therapy by blocking infection and promoting immune clearance
In mice, two specific phage antibodies stopped phage therapy from working against bacteria.
Heng Xue, Xinfeng Li et al.
Viruses that kill bacteria, called phages, are being tested as a treatment for dangerous infections. In mice treated daily for 7 days, the body made antibodies against two specific phage parts. These antibodies stopped the phage from working. They blocked the phage from attaching to bacteria and from injecting its genes. They also made immune cells called macrophages eat up the phage faster. A modified phage partly avoided these blocking antibodies, but still got cleared faster by the immune system.
Shown in mice infected with bacteria and treated daily with phage for a week.
Mice only, not humans, so results may differ in people.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 4 October 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (PLOS Biology). Read the source
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