International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 16, Issue 42s, 2026.

CRISPR-Cas Antimicrobial Platforms for Multidrug-Resistant Infections: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications

Dr.Hareem Fatima Niazi1, Dr. Tahseen Ismail.2, Muqaddas Fida.3*, Asma Iqbal4 Zunera Hakim5, Ayesha Rehman6, Asad Ullah Ghaib7, Rashida Bibi8,

1 Fauji foundation hospital Rawalpindi

2 Department of Microbiology, Mirpur University of Science and Tcehnology AJK

3* Abàsyn university Islamabad

4 Abasyn university Islamabad.

5 Rawalpindi Medical University

6 Abasyn university Islamabad campus

7 Government College University Lahore

8 Institute of Microbiology Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan

ABSTRACT

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring KPC variants represents a critical antimicrobial resistance threat. This study evaluated CRISPR-Cas antimicrobial platforms targeting bla KPC-2 / bla KPC-3 in twelve clinical MDR isolates. Using CLSI-standardized broth microdilution and phage-delivered CRISPR constructs, we assessed plasmid curing, MIC reversion, and off-target effects. Treatment achieved targeted plasmid elimination in 91.7% of isolates, restoring carbapenem susceptibility (≥8-fold MIC reduction) without genomic damage to KPC-negative controls or commensal flora. CRISPR-Cas platforms enable precise, sequence-specific reversal of KPC-mediated resistance, supporting their therapeutic potential pending delivery optimization and ecological surveillance. .

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas; Klebsiella pneumoniae; KPC carbapenemase; antimicrobial resistance; plasmid curing; sequence-specific therapeutics. .

How to cite this article: Niazi H F, Ismail T, Fida M, Iqbal A, Hakim Z, Rehman A, Ghaib A U, Bibi R., Crispr-Cas Antimicrobial Platforms For Multidrug-Resistant Infections: From Molecular Mechanisms To Therapeutic Applications. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(42s): 1280-1290; Doi: 10.25258/Ijddt.16.42s.136

Source of support: Nil.

Conflict of interest: None.