Beyond Antibiotics: Bacteriophage Therapy Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens in the Era of Antimicrobial...

The escalating global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) urgently calls for interventions that transcend the limitations of conventional antibiotics. Bacteriophages (phage therapy) is emerging as a critical therapeutic and prophylactic agent with a distinct operational role against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. The core of the phage's utility lies in three strategic advantages: high specificity, self-amplification at the site of infection, and most crucially, their unique capacity for biofilm eradication. Since up to 80% of chronic infections involve biofilms that shield bacteria from antibiotics, the ability of phages to penetrate and disperse these structures makes them invaluable against recalcitrant infections. Phages are thus positioned not merely as an alternative, but as a strategic and complementary tool alongside antibiotics, often demonstrating synergy that can resensitize resistant bacteria to previously ineffective drugs. Overcoming current regulatory and manufacturing challenges is essential to unlock the full potential of phage therapy and secure its vital role in the global fight against AMR.