Bacteriophages: Clinical significance and application prospects

Abstract

A review of the literature data covering topical issues of the use of bacteriophages in clinical practice is presented. Traditionally, phage therapy is based on the use of natural phages for the lysis of bacteria at the infection site. Despite some limitations, it has significant advantages over antibiotic therapy. The use of biotechnological methods currently makes it possible to eliminate the disadvantages of phage therapy by creating recombinant drugs and, in the future, expand its capabilities through the use of lytic phage proteins and their modified derivatives. Currently, bacteriophages are used not only for the treatment of infections but also for prevention and diagnosis (phagotyping to identify the source of infection). Bacteriophages are also used in genetic engineering as vectors for transferring DNA sections. Few side effects have been described about bacteriophages. Particularly, they do not negatively affect the intestinal microbiota, and compared with antibiotics, they are much less likely to be associated with allergic reactions. Moreover, existing randomized clinical trials, which are the gold standard of clinical trials, in phage therapy are extremely insufficient, which dictates the need to concentrate the efforts of all stakeholders in this direction.