strains each containing one or more killer plasmids may be combined for a similar multi target effect once the recombinant donor bacteria comprising the killer plasmid s are produced they are used to protect against one or more selected pathogens in individuals requiring such treatment depending on the cell population or tissue targeted for protection the following modes of administration of the bacteria of the invention are contemplated topical oral nasal pulmonary bronchial e g via an inhaler ophthalmic rectal urogenital subcutaneous intraperitoneal and intravenous the bacteria preferably are supplied as a pharmaceutical preparation in a delivery vehicle suitable for the mode of administration selected for the patient being treated the term u201c patient u201d or u201c subject u201d as used herein refers to humans or animals animals being particularly useful as models for clinical efficacy of a particular donor strain for instance to deliver the bacteria to the gastrointestinal tract or to the nasal passages the preferred mode of administration is by oral ingestion or nasal aerosol or by feeding alone or incorporated into the subject 39 s feed or food in this regard it should be noted that probiotic bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus are sold as gel capsules containing a lyophilized mixture of bacterial cells and a solid support such as mannitol when the gel capsule is ingested with liquid the lyophilized cells are re hydrated and become viable colonogenic bacteria thus in a similar fashion donor bacterial cells of the present invention can be supplied as a powdered lyophilized.