Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41330426›Full record

ReviewCurrent opinion in ophthalmology2026

Eying up predatory bacteria: living antimicrobials for ocular infections.

Robert M Q Shanks, Eric G Romanowski, Dhara R Patel, Daniel E Kadouri

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Current opinion in ophthalmology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Robert M Q ShanksDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Eric G RomanowskiDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dhara R PatelDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Daniel E KadouriDepartment of Oral Biology, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, New Jersey, USA.

Funding

Virus Production and Manipulation of Protein/Gene Expression ModuleP30EY008098 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI Yuanyuan Chen · 1989 to 2026
$17.8M
Rise of lasR mutant Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitisR01EY032517 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI SHANKS, ROBERT M · 2021 to 2024
$1.6M
Extensively drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis outbreak strain:  virulence mechanisms and mitigationR01EY036686 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI ROBERT M SHANKS · 2024 to 2026
$1.4M
NEI NIH HHS P30 EY008098NEI NIH HHS R01 EY032517NEI NIH HHS R01 EY036686
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of reviewThe growing threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, particularly in ocular infections like bacterial keratitis, necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies. This review evaluates the potential therapeutic role of predatory bacteria as novel live antimicrobials, offering a timely exploration of their potential in overcoming resistance mechanisms such as biofilm formation and persister cell development. RECENT

findingsPredatory bacteria, including Bdellovibrio bacterovorus and Micavibrio aerguinosavorus selectively target Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa , while sparing Gram-positive ocular surface. They exhibit rapid bactericidal activity and efficacy against biofilms, persister cells, and antibiotic-resistant pathogens, but induce little inflammation. Advances in storage and delivery methods, such as lyophilization, cryomicroneedles, and thermoresponsive hydrogels, have potential to increase their therapeutic feasibility. However, in-vivo efficacy remains variable and their narrow spectrum limits effectiveness against Gram-positive pathogens. SUMMARY: Predatory bacteria present a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics in ocular therapeutics, particularly for drug-resistant infections. Integration of predatory bacteria with bacteriophages or conventional antibiotics may further optimize their potential. Continued translational research is essential to address current limitation and to validate their safety and efficacy for human or veterinary applications.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsEye Infections, BacterialAnimalsBiofilmsHumansAnti-Bacterial Agentsantibiotic resistanceendophthalmitiskeratitispredatory bacteria

Identifiers

PMID41330426
PMCPMC13231287

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.