Resistance Development to Bacteriophages Occurring during Bacteriophage Therapy

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health threat.
• Bacteriophage (phage) therapy presents a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics.
• The emergence of phage-resistant bacteria is a key challenge for phage therapy efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the prevalence and implications of phage resistance in bacterial pathogens.
• To explore the potential of bacterial fitness costs associated with phage resistance.
• To highlight the need for strategies to monitor and prevent phage resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of experimental and clinical studies on phage therapy.
• Analysis of reported incidences of phage-resistant bacterial variants.
• Examination of research on bacterial fitness costs linked to phage resistance.

Main Results:

• Phage resistance is frequently observed, occurring in up to 80% of intestinal studies and 50% of sepsis models.
• Phage resistance has been documented in human clinical trials.
• Bacterial mutations conferring phage resistance may impose fitness costs, potentially benefiting the host.

Conclusions:

• Phage resistance is a critical factor that requires careful monitoring and management.
• Developing methods to prevent and counteract phage resistance is essential.
• Exploiting resistance-induced fitness costs in bacteria offers a promising therapeutic strategy.