Revolutionizing the fight against multidrug-resistant bacteria: Phage and phage products as the leading armament in future: Review

Abstract

The prevalence of bacteria that have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics has increased in recent years, posing a serious threat to public health. Some of these strains have proven almost immune to frequently used antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), for instance, is an example of a strain of bacteria that has become resistant to multiple medications. The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report detailing the antibiotic-resistant diseases for which new and potent treatments are urgently needed. There has been a rise in interest in the potential applications of bacteriophage viruses that specifically target bacteria and eradicate them. Since they lack a metabolic system, these viruses must rely on bacteria for reproduction. It is estimated that bacteriophages are about 3 billion years old, making them one of the oldest and most common creatures on Earth. They are essential for keeping germs in check in circumstances where they naturally occur, such as in natural, unprocessed foods. The potential of bacteriophages to improve food safety is one area of increasing interest. Researchers employ animal models, such as invertebrate and vertebrate models, to examine the efficacy of medicines more swiftly and economically than human trials. The zebrafish is one example of a new model that could be used to investigate host-pathogen interactions in the future. Bacteriophage mixtures are being used by scientists as a means of more precisely treating specific infections and slowing the spread of antibiotic resistance.