The use of bacteriophages to biocontrol oral biofilms

Abstract

Infections induced by oral biofilms include caries, as well as periodontal, and peri-implant disease, and may influence quality of life, systemic health, and expenditure. As bacterial biofilms are highly resistant and resilient to conventional antibacterial therapy, it has been difficult to combat these infections. An innovative alternative to the biocontrol of oral biofilms could be to use bacteriophages or phages, the viruses of bacteria, which are specific, non-toxic, self-proliferating, and can penetrate into biofilms. Phages for Actinomyces naeslundii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Enterococcus faecalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Lactobacillus spp., Neisseria spp., Streptococcus spp., and Veillonella spp. have been isolated and characterised. Recombinant phage enzymes (lysins) have been shown to lyse A. naeslundii and Streptococcus spp. However, only a tiny fraction of available phages and their lysins have been explored so far. The unique properties of phages and their lysins make them promising but challenging antimicrobials. The genetics and biology of phages have to be further explored in order to determine the most effective way of applying them. Studying the effect of phages and lysins on multispecies biofilms should pave the way for microbiota engineering and microbiota-based therapy.

Lytic bacteriophage have diverse indirect effects in a synthetic cross-feeding community

“…Identifying how phage influence all bacterial populations in microbial communities is important because of rising enthusiasm for controlling bacteria populations with phage in the food industry and medical field [35,36]. In fact, two independent mouse studies reported that bacteriophage therapy changed abundances of non-host genera in the gut [37,38].…”

A brief history of periodontics in the United States of America: Pioneers and thought‐leaders of the past, and current challenges

“…Nevertheless, bacteriophages are easily transmitted from person to person, demonstrated by data showing that substantial numbers of gut and oral bacteriophages are shared amongst genetically unrelated, cohabitating individuals . Finally, therapeutic use of bacteriophages to attack pathogens selectively within biofilm communities has been suggested . This approach is not without its problems because in early bacteriophage therapy trials, the emergence of pathogens resistant to bacteriophage attacks has been demonstrated .…”

“…129,134 Finally, therapeutic use of bacteriophages to attack pathogens selectively within biofilm communities has been suggested. [141][142][143] This approach is not without its problems because in early bacteriophage therapy trials, the emergence of pathogens resistant to bacteriophage attacks has been demonstrated. 143 It is clear that bacteriophages are important components of the overall ecology of oral biofilms in health and disease.…”

Using Phage’s to Exterminate Biofilms

“…Other combinations are also possible exactly like in the case of biological systems Liao et al [69]; noticed that combining phages with commensal bacteria had synergistic effects in preventing biofilm formation on silicone catheter segments while Zhang and Hu [70]; observed when using phages coupled with biocide like (chlorine) the effects on filters is increased. However, further studies have to target on exploring phage activity in the multispecies context, animal models, and in conjunction with other antimicrobials [71]. Figure 3, shows the strategies that were used to destroy biofilms within the last few 20 years.…”