[Antibacterial applications of bacteriophages]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Therapeutics

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis.
• Bacteriophages (phages) were historically used to treat bacterial infections before antibiotics.
• Phage therapy offers a potential alternative to antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental principles of phage therapy.
• To present current research and emerging applications of bacteriophages.
• To highlight the revival of phage therapy in light of antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and recent scientific literature on bacteriophages and phage therapy.
• Analysis of current research trends and commercial developments.
• Synthesis of data on therapeutic applications in various fields.

Main Results:

• Bacteriophages were first described and used therapeutically in 1917.
• The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has renewed interest in phage therapy.
• Applications are expanding beyond human medicine to animal and plant health.

Conclusions:

• Phage therapy is a viable and developing alternative to antibiotics.
• Research is progressing towards commercialization and wider application.
• Bacteriophages represent a promising solution to combatting bacterial infections.