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Studies on bacteriophage penetration in patients subjected to phage therapy

B Weber-Dabrowska1, M Dabrowski, S Slopek

  • 1Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw.

Archivum Immunologiae Et Therapiae Experimentalis
|January 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Oral bacteriophage therapy showed significant bloodstream penetration in patients with bacterial infections. Bacteriophages were detected in blood samples of most patients after 10 days of treatment, indicating systemic availability.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bacteriophage therapy is a promising alternative to antibiotics for bacterial infections.
  • Understanding bacteriophage pharmacokinetics is crucial for optimizing treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the penetration of orally administered bacteriophages into the bloodstream and urinary tract.
  • To assess the systemic availability of bacteriophages during therapy for suppurative bacterial infections.

Main Methods:

  • Healthy volunteers and patients with bacterial infections received oral bacteriophage therapy.
  • Blood and urine samples were collected before and during phage therapy.
  • Samples were analyzed for the presence of bacteriophages using microbiological assays.

Main Results:

  • No "wild phages" were detected in pre-treatment samples.
  • Bacteriophages were present in 47 out of 56 blood samples by day 10 of therapy.
  • Bacteriophages were detected in 9 out of 26 urine samples by day 10.

Conclusions:

  • Oral bacteriophage administration leads to significant bloodstream penetration.
  • Bacteriophages achieve systemic circulation, suggesting potential for treating systemic bacterial infections.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential and optimize dosing for bacteriophage treatments.

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