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The epic of phage therapy
Alain Dublanchet1, Shawna Bourne
1Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France.
Summary
Phage therapy, using viruses to combat bacteria, has a rich history. This report details its discovery, historical usage, decline, and recent resurgence as a key antimicrobial strategy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria.
- Phage therapy has been explored as an alternative to antibiotics.
- Historical use of phages predates the discovery of antibiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical overview of phage therapy.
- To chronicle the evolution of phage therapy from discovery to present.
- To highlight the cyclical nature of phage therapy's application.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of scientific literature and clinical applications.
- Chronological account of phage discovery and development.
- Analysis of factors contributing to the rise and fall of phage therapy.
Main Results:
- Phage therapy was initially promising but faced challenges.
- The development of antibiotics led to a decline in phage therapy research.
- Renewed interest in phage therapy is driven by antibiotic resistance.
Conclusions:
- Phage therapy represents a significant historical antimicrobial approach.
- Understanding the history of phage therapy is crucial for its current development.
- The rediscovery of phage therapy offers potential solutions for modern infectious diseases.
Keywords:
Bacterial infectious diseasesBacteriophageBiological communicable disease controlMedical historyPhage therapyStanier symposiumd’HerelleMore Related Videos
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