Targeting bacterial persistence with bacteriophages: a next-generation antimicrobial strategy

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis.
• Bacteria employ survival mechanisms like biofilms, persister cells, and viable but non-culturable states to resist antibiotics.
• Conventional therapies struggle against these persistent bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how bacteriophages (phages) target and overcome bacterial survival strategies.
• To explore phage-derived enzymes and engineered phages for enhanced antibacterial efficacy.
• To discuss the potential of phage therapy in managing antibiotic-resistant and persistent infections.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on bacteriophage interactions with bacterial survival mechanisms.
• Analysis of phage-derived enzymes (depolymerases, endolysins) for biofilm degradation.
• Examination of phage-induced metabolic reactivation of dormant bacterial cells.
• Investigation of phage engineering and combination therapies.

Main Results:

• Phages effectively dismantle biofilms and eliminate persister cells.
• Phages can resuscitate viable but non-culturable cells, increasing their susceptibility to treatment.
• Phage engineering and combination therapies (e.g., with antibiotics) enhance efficacy against persistent bacteria.
• Phage therapy shows promise as an alternative to antibiotics for various settings.

Conclusions:

• Bacteriophages are potent natural predators of bacteria, offering a viable solution against antibiotic resistance.
• Understanding phage-host interactions is key to developing next-generation antimicrobial strategies.
• Phage therapy presents a promising approach for combating persistent bacterial infections in clinical, industrial, and environmental contexts.