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The Current Landscape of Phage-Antibiotic Synergistic (PAS) Interactions

Brittany S I Supina1, Jonathan J Dennis1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages (phages) offer a novel approach to combatting multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Understanding phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS) mechanisms is key to developing effective combination therapies against resistant bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens pose a significant global health threat, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria, are emerging as potent antimicrobial agents due to their distinct lytic mechanisms.
  • Phages are largely unaffected by antibiotic resistance mechanisms, offering a promising alternative or adjunct to conventional antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolutionary and molecular mechanisms driving phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS).
  • To summarize the current understanding of interactions between phages and antibiotics.
  • To explore strategies for developing effective PAS treatments against MDR pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on phage-antibiotic interactions.
  • Analysis of evolutionary and molecular mechanisms underlying PAS.
  • Examination of in vitro methods for assessing PAS.

Main Results:

  • Phage-antibiotic interactions exhibit a spectrum from synergistic to antagonistic.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing combination therapies.
  • Phages can enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics against resistant bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • PAS is a promising strategy for improving treatment outcomes against MDR pathogens.
  • Further research into the mechanisms of PAS is essential for clinical translation.
  • Standardized in vitro methods are needed for evaluating phage-antibiotic combinations.
Keywords:
antagonismantibioticsbacteriophagesnovel therapeuticsphage therapyphagessynergy

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