Resistance to antibiotics is an escalating global crisis, presenting a major health, social, and economic burden. An underexplored alternative to antibiotic treatment is phage therapy whereby bacteriophages are used to infect and kill pathogenic multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. A primary challenge is the highly specific infectivity range of phages that can limit their ability to infect across different bacterial strains. Synthetic biology can enable the design, modification, and synthesis of phages with improved antimicrobial performance and efficacy to help realize novel strategies to study and treat bacterial infectious diseases, including those caused by MDR pathogens. In this perspective article, we discuss the potential for an innovative synthetic biology approach to enhance phage therapeutics and the role a biofoundry can play in bringing phage therapy to fruition.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9041446 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/phage.2019.0005 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
From Isolation to Application: Utilising Phage-Antibiotic Synergy in Murine Bacteremia Model to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis.
Microb Biotechnol
January 2025
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Enterococcus species, natural inhabitants of the human gut, have become major causes of life-threatening bloodstream infections (BSIs) and the third most frequent cause of hospital-acquired bacteremia. The rise of high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) in enterococcal isolates complicates treatment and revives bacteriophage therapy. This study isolated and identified forty E.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pharmaceutical quality of freeze-dried tablets containing therapeutic bacteriophages against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
Int J Pharm
January 2025
Department of Experimental Biology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic. Electronic address:
The preparation of a solid dosage form containing bacteriophages, which meets pharmaceutical requirements and ensures long-term stability of the phage effect, is significant for implementing phage therapy in practice. A commonly used method for processing phages into a solid form is freeze-drying into a (so-called) freeze-dried cake; however, to date there have been no studies examining the pharmacopeial parameters of freeze-dried tablets with bacteriophages. In this study, we describe the preparation and properties of freeze-dried tablets containing a cocktail of purified pseudomonal bacteriophage DSM 33593 from the genus Pbunavirus and staphylococcal bacteriophage DSM 33473 from the genus Kayvirus (10 PFU/tablet) as the active ingredient.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmerging Threats: Antimicrobial Resistance in Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase and Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli.
Microb Pathog
January 2025
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli strains, particularly those producing Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and Carbapenemase (CR-Ec), represents a serious global health threat. These resistant strains have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, as they limit the effectiveness of standard antibiotic therapies. The prevalence of ESBL- and CR-Ec-producing strains continues to rise, driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agricultural settings, and facilitated by global interconnectedness through international travel, trade, and food distribution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhytochemicals Controlling Enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) Virulence-Current Knowledge of Their Mechanisms of Action.
Int J Mol Sci
January 2025
Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
Enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) is a common pathotype of that causes numerous outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. EHEC is a zoonotic pathogen that is transmitted from animals to humans. Ruminants, particularly cattle, are considered important reservoirs for virulent EHEC strains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Combination of Phage Therapy and β-Lactam Antibiotics for the Effective Treatment of Infections.
Int J Mol Sci
December 2024
Department of Biology of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
A phage-antibiotic synergy could be an alternative in urinary tract infection (UTI) therapy, as it leads to the elimination of bacteria and to the reduction in variants resistant to phages and antibiotics. The aims of the in vitro study were to determine whether phages vB_Efa29212_2e and vB_Efa29212_3e interact synergistically with selected antibiotics in the treatment of infections, to optimize antibiotic concentrations and phage titers for the most effective combinations, and to assess their impact on the number of spontaneous resistant variants and on the phages' reproductive cycles. The modified double-layer disc diffusion method, checkboard, time-kill assays, one-step growth method and the double agar overlay plaque assay were implemented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!