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Phage Therapy Against Antibiotic-Resistant and Multidrug-Resistant Infections Involving Nonhealing Wounds and
Kashif Haq1, Martin Figgitt1, David Lee1
1Department of Life Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK.
Summary
Bacteriophage therapy shows promise for treating chronic wounds and prosthetic joint infections, with a 91% success rate and limited adverse effects. This innovative approach offers a potential solution to antibiotic resistance challenges.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Chronic wounds and prosthetic joint infections present significant treatment challenges, exacerbated by rising antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation.
- Bacteriophage therapy, a century-old treatment, is experiencing a resurgence as an innovative solution for bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical studies and trials on bacteriophage therapy for nonhealing wounds and prosthetic joint infections over the past five years.
- To assess the safety, treatment modalities, and success rates of phage therapy in these challenging conditions.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of studies from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Clinical Trials.gov.
- Inclusion criteria focused on clinical studies, case series, and trials published within the last five years.
- Analysis of data from 27 selected studies treating 152 bacterial infections in 130 individuals.
Main Results:
- The most common pathogens identified were *P. aeruginosa* in wounds and *S. aureus* in prosthetic joint infections.
- Treatment approaches varied, but adverse effects were minimal across the studies.
- A high overall success rate of 91% was observed for bacteriophage therapy.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for chronic wounds and prosthetic joint infections.
- The high success rate and favorable safety profile support its continued investigation and application in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
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