China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Epilogue
Published in Paul Pumpens, Single-Stranded RNA Phages, 2020
Theoretically, the phage therapy approach could be used not only to prevent bacterial infection, but also in virus wars, i.e., using one virus to block the spread of another. Paff et al. (2016) modeled this running start using the phage Qβ as a lytic virus and the phage f1 as a therapeutic virus.
Cystic fibrosis infection and biofilm busters
Published in Anthony J. Hickey, Heidi M. Mansour, Inhalation Aerosols, 2019
Jennifer Fiegel, Sachin Gharse
Phage therapy offers certain distinct advantages, such as low inherent toxicity, low potential for development of resistance, target specificity, minimal damage to normal flora, and antibiofilm activity (85). In spite of this, phage therapy has not made inroads as an antimicrobial therapy over concerns about the safety of phages and lack of financial investment by major pharmaceutical companies. Some phages (known as temperate phages) increase the pathogenicity of the target bacteria by modifying the organisms, which could lead to enhanced infections rather than eradication of the infections (86). Lack of financial investment has been primarily due to the high costs associated with phage characterization, such as full-genome sequencing and protein profiling, necessary for approval of the therapy. As bringing phage therapy to the market would require completing expensive, large-scale clinical trials in accordance with FDA guidelines, greater interest has remained focused on traditional antibiotic therapy (85,87).
Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for the Treatment of Infected Skin Lesions
Published in Andreia Ascenso, Sandra Simões, Helena Ribeiro, Carrier-Mediated Dermal Delivery, 2017
Sandra Simöes, Manuela Carvalheiro, Maria Manuela Gaspar
The phage therapy represents one alternative therapeutic strategy as it involves the targeted application of bacteriophages. Bacteriophages are viruses that attack bacteria being able to replicate within them causing disruption of bacterial cells [47]. As their lytic action is highly specific, this approach can be applied for treatment of bacterial infections that do not respond to available antibiotics. Nevertheless, for the successful application of phages, the knowledge of their host range is a prerequisite. Particularly, a set of virulent phages for M. ulcerans has been reported [48]. Among this set of phages, the therapeutic effect of the mycobacteriophage D29 was evaluated in a M. ulcerans murine footpad model. This phage was subcutaneously administered in the infected footpad and a single injection was able to decrease the bacterial load in footpad in comparison with infected and untreated mice [49].
New advances in the treatments of drug-resistant tuberculosis
Published in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 2023
MDR-TB has become a major source of concern for researchers and the public health sector. Phage therapy is considered a promising alternative treatment. Phages are viruses that have been isolated from a variety of environmental samples [56]. Mycobacterium phages are viruses that only infect mycobacteria. For example, M. tuberculosis is infected by phage DS-6A. Mycobacterium phages have several advantages in TB treatment, such as their strong ability to reduce TB granulomas. Phage therapy is considered to be an adjunct to antibacterial therapy itself or within a combination for MDR-TB [57]. The phage used to treat TB should have the following qualities: The phage must first be able to lyse the target bacteria. The phage must also be virulent against M. tuberculosis. Third, the phage must not be pathogenic to the host [58,59].
Pharmacotherapeutic interventions for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2022
Ester Marquez-Algaba, Joaquin Burgos, Benito Almirante
Phage therapy utilizes bacteriophages, which are viruses that can infect and kill bacteria, to treat chronic bacterial infections. These therapies have some properties that make them especially interesting for the treatment of CBP [67,68]. Given the absolute different mechanisms of action of phages with antibiotics, phages are effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria [69]. Moreover, they may penetrate biofilms produced by bacteria [70]. Recent data suggest that phages interact with cells of the immune system, with immunomodulatory effects reducing inflammation, which could be beneficial in chronic prostatitis [68]. A study of 27 patients with recurrent CBP used phage therapy for approximately 8 weeks. Eradication of the pathogen was observed in 48% of cases. Substantially reduced prostatitis symptoms were also reported. Therapy was well tolerated without significant side effects [67]. Intrarectal phage administration was noted to lead to the best results [67,71]. Recently, a double-blind clinical trial randomized 97 patients with transurethral resection of the prostate and complicated UTI to phage therapy, antibiotic therapy, and placebo. Treatment success was observed in 18% (5/28 patients) in the phage arm, 35% (13/37) in the antibiotic group and 28% (9/32) in the placebo group (p = 0.11). Adverse events occurred in 21%, 30%, and 41% of the phage, placebo and antibiotic groups, respectively (p = .47) [72]. Further clinical studies to define the role of bacteriophages in CBP are necessary.
Phage therapy in pediatrics: the way forward for difficult-to-treat infections?
Published in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 2022
Annaleise R. Howard-Jones, Jonathan R. Iredell, Ameneh Khatami
Phage therapy is a safe and effective antibacterial treatment modality, currently reserved for challenging infections including those caused by MDR organisms or associated with biofilms. The prospective applications of phages and phage lysins are diverse and carry potential for delivering low-toxicity high-efficacy therapy for severe infections including urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bacteremia as well as common conditions, such as atopic dermatitis. For children, as well as adults, the safety data is compelling and children have much to gain from the long-term benefits offered by phage therapy in successful clearance of difficult infections, with minimal toxicity and microbiome impacts. Despite their numerically smaller contribution to healthcare burden and market share, children have arguably the most to gain from effective therapy to eradicate problematic infections. Given their impressive safety profile, it is imperative that children are not excluded from future phage therapy research.