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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...
DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
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: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
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...

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T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo
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Published on: January 26, 2024

Bacteriophage therapy: exploiting smaller fleas.

Stan Deresinski1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. polishmd@earthlink.net

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|March 12, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacteriophage therapy, using viruses to treat bacterial infections, is gaining renewed interest due to antibiotic resistance. While challenges exist, topical and oral applications show promise for this evolving treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Therapeutics

Background:

  • Bacteriophage therapy has been used for over 90 years but lacks extensive clinical trials.
  • Rising antibiotic resistance has renewed interest in phage therapy as an alternative treatment.
  • Systemic administration of phages faces challenges, but topical and oral routes are feasible.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the history and current status of phage therapy.
  • To discuss the potential future applications of bacteriophages in medicine.
  • To highlight the feasibility of phage therapy in light of antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical data and existing literature on bacteriophage therapy.
  • Analysis of current challenges and potential solutions for phage administration.
  • Exploration of bioengineering strategies for enhanced phage efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Phage therapy has a long history but requires more rigorous clinical validation.
  • Topical and oral administration of phages and phage products (e.g., lysins) are viable short-term strategies.
  • Bioengineered phages offer potential for targeted delivery and enhanced therapeutic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Phage therapy presents a promising alternative to antibiotics, especially with increasing resistance.
  • Further clinical trials are necessary to establish the safety and efficacy of phage therapy.
  • Future directions include bioengineering phages for specific applications and improved delivery systems.