Fig. 2

Phage pK4-26 can effectively lyse K. aerogenes in vivo and relieve pneumonia. A Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure for phage therapy. B Survival of mice infected with K. aerogenes followed by phage therapy (Kruskal–Wallis’s test). C Changes in bacterial loads in the lungs were recorded for 48 h. D Changes in phage titers in the lungs were recorded for 48 h. E Anatomy, H&E staining (×100 and ×400 magnifications) of lungs sections from each group for 24 and 48 h. F Proinflammatory cytokine levels in the lungs at 24 and 48 h. G Histopathological scores of lung tissue sections. The histopathological score was related to the following distribution: 1, thickened alveolar walls; 2, edema; and 3, tissue parenchymatous lesions such as congestion and hemorrhage. Tissue sections were evaluated by two trained pathologists with the following scores: 0, no pathological lesion; 1, mild; 2, moderate; and 3, severe. Values are expressed as means ± the SD (n = 3 mice/group). Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 3). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ****P < 0.0001 (one-way ANOVA)