Summary
Using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections, especially those resistant to antibiotics.
In depth
Phages are specific and self-replicating where bacteria are present, with fewer effects on microbiota. Challenges: phage resistance, regulation and the need for matching. First used by Félix d'Hérelle in the 1910s.
Phage cocktails reduce resistance. Phages can be engineered. Regulatory frameworks are evolving.
Example: it has been used in Eastern Europe for decades.
Bacteriophages were discovered by Twort (1915) and d'Herelle (1917) and used before antibiotics, especially in the Soviet Union and Georgia (the Eliava Institute). Phages are very specific, so cocktails or personalised matching are needed. They can penetrate biofilms and can be engineered, for example with CRISPR payloads. Endolysins, enzymes from phages, are another approach.
A well-known case was the 2016 recovery of a US professor with a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter infection treated with phages. Trials are ongoing; issues include pharmacokinetics, immune neutralisation, endotoxin release on lysis and regulatory pathways.
Key idea: phage therapy complements antibiotics and may be useful when they fail.
Frequently asked questions
What is Phage Therapy?
Using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections, especially those resistant to antibiotics.
Which area of biology covers Phage Therapy, and how advanced is it?
Phage Therapy is one of the 54 topics in Microbiology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Antibiotics, Probiotics, Metagenomics.
Can you give an example of Phage Therapy?
A patient with a resistant Acinetobacter infection was cured in 2016 using phages.
What should I learn before Phage Therapy?
Work through the Beginner topics in Microbiology first, such as Microorganisms, Bacteria, Archaea, then return to Phage Therapy. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Phage Therapy?
The closest topics to Phage Therapy are Antibiotics, Probiotics, Metagenomics, Quorum Sensing. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Phage Therapy?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Phage Therapy. To practise the whole of Microbiology, use the Microbiology quiz.
How is Phage Therapy different from Antibiotics?
Phage Therapy: Using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections, especially those resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotics: Drugs that kill or inhibit bacteria, such as penicillin, which blocks cell wall synthesis. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Phage Therapy step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Antibiotics and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Microbiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.