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Prophages in Skin Pathogens: From Virulence to Therapy
Abirami Karthikeyan1, Aqib Javaid2, Grace Naa Ayorkor Charway2
1Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Prophages, viral DNA in bacteria, drive infections and offer new therapies. Prophage-derived molecules show promise against drug-resistant skin pathogens, advancing treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Prophages are integrated bacteriophage genomes within bacterial chromosomes.
- They significantly influence bacterial pathogen biology, particularly in skin infections.
- Prophages contribute virulence factors like toxins and immune evasion mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual role of prophages in pathogen virulence and therapeutic strategies.
- To explore prophage-derived molecules as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents.
- To assess the translational potential and clinical frontiers of prophage-based therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review integrating mechanistic insights into prophage virulence.
- Assessment of prophage-derived molecules (endolysins, holins, spanins, depolymerases).
- Evaluation of novel delivery systems (chimeric lysins, CRISPR-based systems) and microbiome mining.
Main Results:
- Prophages encode critical virulence factors in skin pathogens like *Staphylococcus aureus*.
- Prophage-derived molecules exhibit potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against resistant strains.
- Several prophage-based therapeutic candidates are in clinical development.
Conclusions:
- Prophage biology presents a significant avenue for developing novel treatments against drug-resistant skin pathogens.
- Engineered systems and microbiome exploration enhance the therapeutic potential of prophages.
- This field is rapidly advancing, with significant conceptual and clinical frontiers.
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