Combined Phage Therapy and FMT Reduces Recurrent UTIs and Antibiotic Use in First Human Case Series

Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) affect millions of people worldwide, particularly women. These infections often require antibiotic treatment, leading to significant antibiotic use, which contributes to the growing issue of antibiotic resistance. In a groundbreaking development, researchers have successfully combined phage therapy (PT) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to tackle recurrent rUTIs.

This innovative approach was tested on three female patients who were resistant to antibiotics and non-antibiotic treatments. The therapy involved orally and intravesically administering PT for eight days, followed by FMT in two patients. Dr. Lena Biehl, the lead researcher, explains that PT targets the pathogen while FMT aims to restore a healthy microbiome, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.

Over the course of two years, the two patients who received the combined therapy experienced a significant reduction in UTIs, while the third patient, who only received PT, had reduced symptoms. Despite E. coli being detected in follow-up samples, the patients' quality of life improved significantly, and the need for antibiotics decreased substantially.

Dr. Shawna McCallin from Balgrist University Hospital notes that while the initial results are promising, a larger sample size and control groups are necessary to confirm the therapy's efficacy. This case series paves the way for a clinical trial under the REPhRAME project, funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe program, which is set to commence in June 2027.