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[Customised infectiology - Phage therapy: from theory to clinical evidence]

Florian Desgranges1, Pierre-Yves Bochud1, Grégory Resch2

  • 1Service des maladies infectieuses, Département de médecine, CHUV et Université de Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne.

Revue Medicale Suisse
|April 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Phage therapy, using viruses to kill bacteria, is resurging due to antibiotic resistance. This review explores phage therapy

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically infect and lyse bacteria.
  • Antibiotic development in the 1950s led to a decline in phage therapy research.
  • The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria has renewed interest in alternative treatments like phage therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the benefits and drawbacks of phage therapy versus antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections.
  • To identify potential areas for the advancement of phage therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific evidence on phage therapy and antibiotic treatments.
  • Comparative analysis of efficacy, safety, and resistance development for both therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Phage therapy offers high specificity against target bacteria, potentially reducing disruption to the microbiome.
  • Antibiotics provide broad-spectrum coverage but contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Current evidence suggests specific advantages and disadvantages for both phage therapy and antibiotics.

Conclusions:

  • Phagotherapy presents a promising alternative or adjunct to antibiotics, particularly against multidrug-resistant pathogens.
  • Further research and development are crucial to optimize phage therapy protocols and clinical application.
  • Addressing challenges in phage production, delivery, and regulatory approval will be key to its successful implementation.

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