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Bacteriophage therapy.

W C Summers1

  • 1Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. william.summers@yale.edu

Annual Review of Microbiology
|September 7, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophage therapy, using viruses that infect bacteria, shows promise for treating infections. Early challenges due to poor understanding have been overcome by recent research, suggesting potential effectiveness in specific cases.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriophage Biology

Background:

  • Bacteriophages were identified in 1917 and initially explored for antibacterial therapy.
  • Early bacteriophage therapy trials were hindered by a limited understanding of bacteriophage biology.
  • The rise of antibiotics and historical perceptions led to a lack of rigorous evaluation for decades.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical context and potential efficacy of bacteriophage therapy.
  • To assess the current scientific basis for bacteriophage therapy.
  • To explore the potential of bacteriophages as antibacterial agents.

Main Methods:

  • Historical literature review of early bacteriophage therapy applications.
  • Analysis of recent laboratory and animal studies on bacteriophage biology.
  • Evaluation of factors influencing the historical development and recent resurgence of phage therapy.

Main Results:

  • Early studies suggest bacteriophage therapy could be effective under certain conditions.
  • Recent research, leveraging advanced knowledge of phage biology, indicates potential therapeutic applications.
  • The historical trajectory of phage therapy was impacted by scientific understanding and external factors.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophage therapy has a historical basis for efficacy in treating bacterial infections.
  • Modern research supports the potential of bacteriophages as targeted antibacterial agents.
  • Further rigorous evaluation is warranted to establish the role of phage therapy in contemporary medicine.

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