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Related Concept Videos

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the lytic replication...
Bacteriophages of the Human Virome01:23

Bacteriophages of the Human Virome

Bacteriophages are found throughout the human body. They may even outnumber eukaryotic viruses, forming an important and dynamic component of the human virome. Indeed, phages represent the most abundant viral entities, with densities in the gut reaching up to 10⁹ particles per gram of fecal matter, and many belonging to orders such as Caudovirales and Microviridae, while a substantial proportion remains unclassified as viral “dark matter.”Lysogeny and Genetic ExchangeIn the gut, bacteriophages...
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages

In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle01:16

Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle

The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects its...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo
08:46

T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo

Published on: January 26, 2024

Is phage therapy acceptable in the immunocompromised host?

Jan Borysowski1, Andrzej Górski

  • 1Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, The Medical University of Warsaw, Nowogrodzka 59, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland. jborysowski@interia.pl

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|April 11, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) show promise as an alternative to antibiotics for treating resistant infections. Emerging evidence suggests phage therapy is also safe and effective for immunocompromised patients.

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Bacteriophage Effectiveness for Biocontrol of Foodborne Pathogens Evaluated via High-Throughput Settings
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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo
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Bacteriophage Effectiveness for Biocontrol of Foodborne Pathogens Evaluated via High-Throughput Settings

Published on: August 19, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Therapeutics

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat.
  • Bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) are emerging as a viable alternative to antibiotics.
  • Limited data exist on phage therapy's efficacy and safety in immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize existing experimental and clinical findings on phage therapy in immunocompromised patients.
  • To assess the potential of bacteriophages as a therapeutic option for this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search for studies on bacteriophage therapy in immunocompromised hosts.
  • Inclusion of both in vitro/in vivo experimental data and clinical case reports/trials.
  • Synthesis of evidence regarding efficacy, safety, and potential challenges.

Main Results:

  • Review of available data suggests bacteriophages can be effective against bacterial infections in immunocompromised patients.
  • Evidence indicates a favorable safety profile for phage therapy in this population.
  • Identified gaps in current research, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophage therapy presents a promising and potentially safe treatment strategy for antibiotic-resistant infections in immunocompromised patients.
  • Further clinical trials are warranted to solidify the role of phage therapy in immunocompromised populations.