Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
10:04

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates

Published on: September 5, 2017

Phage in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis

Shuliang Guo1, Zhi Ao

  • 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, China. guosl999@yeah.net

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|June 2, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Phage therapy shows promise for treating tuberculosis (TB) and combating antibiotic resistance. Further research is needed to advance phage-based diagnostics and treatments from laboratory studies to clinical applications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Virology

Background:

  • The global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic requires novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies due to limitations in current technologies.
  • The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria necessitates exploring alternative treatments like phage therapy.
  • Mycobacterium phage have been investigated for TB diagnosis, but accuracy improvements are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of bacteriophage (phage) therapy as a novel treatment for tuberculosis (TB).
  • To review the development of phage-based approaches for TB diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on bacteriophage applications in TB.
  • Analysis of phage selection, combination therapy, and enzyme-based approaches.
  • Assessment of current research stages (in vitro and animal models).

Main Results:

  • Phage therapy offers advantages for bacterial infections, including TB.
  • Phage-based diagnostics for TB require enhanced accuracy.
  • Phage therapy is being developed as a complementary approach to antibiotics, especially against drug-resistant strains.

Conclusions:

  • Phage therapy holds significant potential for treating TB and addressing antibiotic resistance.
  • Current phage technology for TB is primarily in preclinical stages (in vitro and animal experiments).
  • Further research and development are crucial to translate phage-based TB therapies into clinical practice.

More Related Videos

System for Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Screening of Inhibitors Targeting Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis09:57

System for Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Screening of Inhibitors Targeting Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Published on: April 5, 2017

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis09:34

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis

Published on: August 16, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
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...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
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...