Bacteriophage therapy for drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections

Bacteriophage therapy for drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections

31 January 2024 | Kaixin Liu, Chao Wang, Xudong Zhou, Xudong Guo, Yi Yang, Wanying Liu, Rongtao Zhao and Hongbin Song
The article reviews the use of bacteriophage therapy as a potential solution to drug-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (S. aureus) infections. The authors highlight the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria, which pose significant challenges in clinical management. They emphasize the limitations of current antibiotic treatments, such as the emergence of resistance and the high cost and toxicity of vancomycin, the last resort for MRSA infections. Bacteriophages, or "phages," are viruses that can infect and lyse bacteria, offering a non-antibiotic alternative. The article discusses the biological characteristics of phages, including their ability to target specific bacterial hosts and their role in bacterial lysis. It also reviews the mechanisms of phage action, such as the synthesis of holins and endolysins, which disrupt bacterial cell walls. The authors present several studies demonstrating the effectiveness of phage therapy against drug-resistant S. aureus infections. These include in vitro experiments showing the synergistic effects of phage-antibiotic combinations, animal studies where phage cocktails reduced bacterial loads and inflammation, and clinical cases where phage therapy improved patient outcomes. They also discuss the challenges and limitations of phage therapy, such as the need for encapsulation to enhance stability and reduce toxicity, and the lack of standardized protocols and guidelines for clinical use. Finally, the article explores future perspectives, noting the potential of phage therapy in combating superbugs but also highlighting the need for further research to address challenges such as immune clearance, host specificity, and the risk of disseminating drug-resistant genes. The authors conclude by emphasizing the importance of developing standardized protocols and guidelines to ensure the safe and effective use of phage therapy.The article reviews the use of bacteriophage therapy as a potential solution to drug-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (S. aureus) infections. The authors highlight the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria, which pose significant challenges in clinical management. They emphasize the limitations of current antibiotic treatments, such as the emergence of resistance and the high cost and toxicity of vancomycin, the last resort for MRSA infections. Bacteriophages, or "phages," are viruses that can infect and lyse bacteria, offering a non-antibiotic alternative. The article discusses the biological characteristics of phages, including their ability to target specific bacterial hosts and their role in bacterial lysis. It also reviews the mechanisms of phage action, such as the synthesis of holins and endolysins, which disrupt bacterial cell walls. The authors present several studies demonstrating the effectiveness of phage therapy against drug-resistant S. aureus infections. These include in vitro experiments showing the synergistic effects of phage-antibiotic combinations, animal studies where phage cocktails reduced bacterial loads and inflammation, and clinical cases where phage therapy improved patient outcomes. They also discuss the challenges and limitations of phage therapy, such as the need for encapsulation to enhance stability and reduce toxicity, and the lack of standardized protocols and guidelines for clinical use. Finally, the article explores future perspectives, noting the potential of phage therapy in combating superbugs but also highlighting the need for further research to address challenges such as immune clearance, host specificity, and the risk of disseminating drug-resistant genes. The authors conclude by emphasizing the importance of developing standardized protocols and guidelines to ensure the safe and effective use of phage therapy.
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[slides and audio] Bacteriophage therapy for drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections