Bacteriophage Therapy: Recent Development and Applications

Abstract

For centuries, mankind is dealing with deadly infectious diseases. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are commonly used against these bacterial infections. However, due to the excessive use of antibiotics, several bacteria have developed resistance against these therapies. Many advanced methods are being developed to overcome this issue, wherein bacteriophage therapy is included at the top of the list. Bacteriophages are -bacteria-eating viruses‖, have more sensitivity, specificity, host range, and efficacy than antibiotics, and are now being used as an antibiotic replacer in different food items, guarding pregnancy, treating surgical wounds, and protecting aquaculture. Bacteriophages are currently being synthesized and commercialized in all three; solid, liquid, gas forms. Due to continuous mutation in bacterial genomics, different modifications are being applied, like crisper and endolysin that increase the efficiency of bacteriophages and decrease the survival probability of the bacteria to its minimal level. The current text will elaborate on the recent advancements and applications of bacteriophage therapy in eliminating bacterial infections, especially in the food and aquaculture industry, and due to its increased therapeutic applications, considered to be a strong candidate to prove its true potential.

Inhalation phage therapy as a new approach to preventing secondary bacterial pneumonia in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: A double-blind clinical trial study

“…Generally, patients with COVID-19 suffer from pneumonia and secondary respiratory infection with high hospitalization and mortality rates [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] ]. The development of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria recommends that phage therapy could be another option to treat pulmonary infections [ 8 , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] ]. Phage therapy through the inhalation route has long been employed and is in practice in Eastern European countries [ 25 ].…”

Novel Bacteriophage-Based Food Packaging: An Innovative Food Safety Approach

“…Endolysins have an advantage over full bacteriophages because their genome is not directly involved in the treatment, eliminating the possibility of mutagenesis. In addition, endolysins do not develop significant resistance, supporting excellent conservation and high host specificity [48][49][50][51].…”

“…Encapsulation of phages in stable materials such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or liposomes effectively improved the stability of phage particles in the blood circulation system. Encapsulated phages can remain in circulation without being eliminated by the reticuloendothelial system [51]. Furthermore, liquid phages are converted into powder form using spray drying technology to facilitate inhalation in treating respiratory infections.…”

“…The powder can be formulated into tablets, bandages, and wound dressings. Recent developments in bacteriophage therapy include using phages and phage-acquired products, including endolysins, as antimicrobial agents using complete bacteriophages as a substitute for conventional antibiotics [50,51]. Endolysins are phage proteins that perform specific functions when phages invade bacterial cells.…”

Phage Delivery Strategies for Biocontrolling Human, Animal, and Plant Bacterial Infections: State of the Art

“…To avoid this, several strategies have been put forward aiming to counteract phage virion instability, with some of them relying upon (i) the modification of the viscosity of the phage medium to maintain phage virion morphology, (ii) the modification of the osmotic pressure via the addition of ions (e.g., sodium chloride) or buffer (phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)), or (iii) the use of dry phage formulations obtained via freeze drying or spray drying [ 34 , 49 ]. The spray drying process is used for phages in liquid phase, aiming to convert them into powdered form to integrate into formulations targeting infected wounds, bandages, pills, and inhalation delivery, among other forms [ 53 ]. Additionally, there are many biotechnological strategies available to optimize the storage of individual phages under study [ 34 , 49 ].…”