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Subramanian A. Emerging roles of bacteriophage-based therapeutics in combating antibiotic resistance. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1384164. [PMID: 39035437 PMCID: PMC11257900 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1384164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Amid the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance on a global scale, there has been a notable resurgence in bacteriophage-based treatments, signaling a shift in our approach to managing infections. Bacteriophages (BPs), bacterial predators of nature, present a promising alternative for tackling infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This review delves into the intricate relationship between bacteriophages and resistant bacteria, exploring various treatment strategies. Drawing upon both preclinical and clinical studies, the review highlights the effectiveness of bacteriophage therapy, particularly when integrated synergistically with conventional antibiotics. It discusses various treatment approaches for systemic and localized infections, demonstrating the adaptability of bacteriophage therapy across different clinical scenarios. Furthermore, the formulation and delivery of bacteriophages shed light on the various methods used to encapsulate and administer them effectively. It also acknowledges the challenge of bacterial resistance to bacteriophages and the ongoing efforts to overcome this hurdle. In addition, this review highlights the importance of the bacteriophage sensitivity profile (phagogram), which helps tailor treatment regimens to individual patients and specific pathogens. By surpassing the limitations of traditional antibiotics, bacteriophage-based therapies offer a personalized and potent solution against antibiotic resistance, promising to reshape the future of infectious disease management.
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Wang H, Yang Y, Xu Y, Chen Y, Zhang W, Liu T, Chen G, Wang K. Phage-based delivery systems: engineering, applications, and challenges in nanomedicines. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:365. [PMID: 38918839 PMCID: PMC11197292 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02576-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) represent a unique category of viruses with a remarkable ability to selectively infect host bacteria, characterized by their assembly from proteins and nucleic acids. Leveraging their exceptional biological properties and modifiable characteristics, phages emerge as innovative, safe, and efficient delivery vectors. The potential drawbacks associated with conventional nanocarriers in the realms of drug and gene delivery include a lack of cell-specific targeting, cytotoxicity, and diminished in vivo transfection efficiency. In contrast, engineered phages, when employed as cargo delivery vectors, hold the promise to surmount these limitations and attain enhanced delivery efficacy. This review comprehensively outlines current strategies for the engineering of phages, delineates the principal types of phages utilized as nanocarriers in drug and gene delivery, and explores the application of phage-based delivery systems in disease therapy. Additionally, an incisive analysis is provided, critically examining the challenges confronted by phage-based delivery systems within the domain of nanotechnology. The primary objective of this article is to furnish a theoretical reference that contributes to the reasoned design and development of potent phage-based delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
- Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, 266024, China
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Engineering, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266024, China
| | - Ying Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Tianqing Liu
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia.
| | - Gang Chen
- Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, 266024, China.
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Engineering, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266024, China.
| | - Kaikai Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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Vaezi A, Healy T, Ebrahimi G, Rezvankhah S, Hashemi Shahraki A, Mirsaeidi M. Phage therapy: breathing new tactics into lower respiratory tract infection treatments. Eur Respir Rev 2024; 33:240029. [PMID: 38925791 PMCID: PMC11216685 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0029-2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) present a significant global health burden, exacerbated by the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The persistence and evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria intensifies the urgency for alternative treatments. This review explores bacteriophage (phage) therapy as an innovative solution to combat bacterial LRTIs. Phages, abundant in nature, demonstrate specificity towards bacteria, minimal eukaryotic toxicity, and the ability to penetrate and disrupt bacterial biofilms, offering a targeted approach to infection control. The article synthesises evidence from systematic literature reviews spanning 2000-2023, in vitro and in vivo studies, case reports and ongoing clinical trials. It highlights the synergistic potential of phage therapy with antibiotics, the immunophage synergy in animal models, and the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics critical for clinical application. Despite promising results, the article acknowledges that phage therapy is at a nascent stage in clinical settings, the challenges of phage-resistant bacteria, and the lack of comprehensive cost-effectiveness studies. It stresses the need for further research to optimise phage therapy protocols and navigate the complexities of phage-host interactions, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised. We call for regulatory adjustments to facilitate the exploration of the long-term effects of phage therapy, aiming to incorporate this old-yet-new therapy into mainstream clinical practice to tackle the looming AMR crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Vaezi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas Healy
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Abdolrazagh Hashemi Shahraki
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Liu K, Wang C, Zhou X, Guo X, Yang Y, Liu W, Zhao R, Song H. Bacteriophage therapy for drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1336821. [PMID: 38357445 PMCID: PMC10864608 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1336821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus stands as a prominent pathogen in nosocomial and community-acquired infections, capable of inciting various infections at different sites in patients. This includes Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SaB), which exhibits a severe infection frequently associated with significant mortality rate of approximately 25%. In the absence of better alternative therapies, antibiotics is still the main approach for treating infections. However, excessive use of antibiotics has, in turn, led to an increase in antimicrobial resistance. Hence, it is imperative that new strategies are developed to control drug-resistant S. aureus infections. Bacteriophages are viruses with the ability to infect bacteria. Bacteriophages, were used to treat bacterial infections before the advent of antibiotics, but were subsequently replaced by antibiotics due to limited theoretical understanding and inefficient preparation processes at the time. Recently, phages have attracted the attention of many researchers again because of the serious problem of antibiotic resistance. This article provides a comprehensive overview of phage biology, animal models, diverse clinical case treatments, and clinical trials in the context of drug-resistant S. aureus phage therapy. It also assesses the strengths and limitations of phage therapy and outlines the future prospects and research directions. This review is expected to offer valuable insights for researchers engaged in phage-based treatments for drug-resistant S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixin Liu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Zhou
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- College of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xudong Guo
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wanying Liu
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Rongtao Zhao
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbin Song
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- College of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Saeed U, Insaf RA, Piracha ZZ, Tariq MN, Sohail A, Abbasi UA, Fida Rana MS, Gilani SS, Noor S, Noor E, Waheed Y, Wahid M, Najmi MH, Fazal I. Crisis averted: a world united against the menace of multiple drug-resistant superbugs -pioneering anti-AMR vaccines, RNA interference, nanomedicine, CRISPR-based antimicrobials, bacteriophage therapies, and clinical artificial intelligence strategies to safeguard global antimicrobial arsenal. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1270018. [PMID: 38098671 PMCID: PMC10720626 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1270018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents in combating bacterial infections faces a grave peril in the form of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), an exceedingly pressing global health issue. The emergence and dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria can be attributed to the rampant overuse and misuse of antibiotics, leading to dire consequences such as organ failure and sepsis. Beyond the realm of individual health, the pervasive specter of AMR casts its ominous shadow upon the economy and society at large, resulting in protracted hospital stays, elevated medical expenditures, and diminished productivity, with particularly dire consequences for vulnerable populations. It is abundantly clear that addressing this ominous threat necessitates a concerted international endeavor encompassing the optimization of antibiotic deployment, the pursuit of novel antimicrobial compounds and therapeutic strategies, the enhancement of surveillance and monitoring of resistant bacterial strains, and the assurance of universal access to efficacious treatments. In the ongoing struggle against this encroaching menace, phage-based therapies, strategically tailored to combat AMR, offer a formidable line of defense. Furthermore, an alluring pathway forward for the development of vaccines lies in the utilization of virus-like particles (VLPs), which have demonstrated their remarkable capacity to elicit a robust immune response against bacterial infections. VLP-based vaccinations, characterized by their absence of genetic material and non-infectious nature, present a markedly safer and more stable alternative to conventional immunization protocols. Encouragingly, preclinical investigations have yielded promising results in the development of VLP vaccines targeting pivotal bacteria implicated in the AMR crisis, including Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium difficile. Notwithstanding the undeniable potential of VLP vaccines, formidable challenges persist, including the identification of suitable bacterial markers for vaccination and the formidable prospect of bacterial pathogens evolving mechanisms to thwart the immune response. Nonetheless, the prospect of VLP-based vaccines holds great promise in the relentless fight against AMR, underscoring the need for sustained research and development endeavors. In the quest to marshal more potent defenses against AMR and to pave the way for visionary innovations, cutting-edge techniques that incorporate RNA interference, nanomedicine, and the integration of artificial intelligence are currently under rigorous scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umar Saeed
- Clinical and Biomedical Research Center (CBRC) and Multidisciplinary Laboratories (MDL), Foundation University School of Health Sciences (FUSH), Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rawal Alies Insaf
- Regional Disease Surveillance and Response Unit Sukkur, Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Zahra Zahid Piracha
- International Center of Medical Sciences Research (ICMSR), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Azka Sohail
- Central Park Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | - Seneen Noor
- International Center of Medical Sciences Research (ICMSR), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Elyeen Noor
- International Center of Medical Sciences Research (ICMSR), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Maryam Wahid
- Clinical and Biomedical Research Center (CBRC) and Multidisciplinary Laboratories (MDL), Foundation University School of Health Sciences (FUSH), Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muzammil Hasan Najmi
- Clinical and Biomedical Research Center (CBRC) and Multidisciplinary Laboratories (MDL), Foundation University School of Health Sciences (FUSH), Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Imran Fazal
- Clinical and Biomedical Research Center (CBRC) and Multidisciplinary Laboratories (MDL), Foundation University School of Health Sciences (FUSH), Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
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Williams J, Severin J, Temperton B, Mitchelmore PJ. Phage Therapy Administration Route, Regimen, and Need for Supplementary Antibiotics in Patients with Chronic Suppurative Lung Disease. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2023; 4:4-10. [PMID: 37214654 PMCID: PMC10196080 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2022.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is leading to increased mortality, posing risk to those with chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD). One therapeutic option may be to target treatment-resistant bacteria using viruses (bacteriophages [phages]). Currently, patients receiving phage therapy on compassionate grounds may not be receiving optimal treatment as there is no defined approach for phage use. This review aims to explore administration route, regimen, and need for supplementary antibiotics in phage therapy to treat bacterial infection in CSLD. Twelve articles totaling 18 participants included details of numerous phage administration routes with varying regimens. All articles reported an initial reduction of bacterial load or an improvement in patient symptoms, highlighting the potential of phage therapy in CSLD. Fifteen out of 18 used supplementary antibiotics. Standardized protocols informed by high-quality research are necessary to ensure safe and effective phage therapy. In the interim, systematic recording of information within case reports may be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Williams
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - James Severin
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torquay, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Temperton
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J. Mitchelmore
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Marongiu L, Burkard M, Lauer UM, Hoelzle LE, Venturelli S. Reassessment of Historical Clinical Trials Supports the Effectiveness of Phage Therapy. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0006222. [PMID: 36069758 PMCID: PMC9769689 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00062-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy has become a hot topic in medical research due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains. In the treatment of bacterial infections, bacteriophages have several advantages over antibiotics, including strain specificity, lack of serious side effects, and low development costs. However, scientists dismissed the clinical success of early clinical trials in the 1940s, slowing the adoption of this promising antibacterial application in Western countries. The current study used statistical methods commonly used in modern meta-analysis to reevaluate early 20th-century studies and compare them with clinical trials conducted in the last 20 years. Using a random effect model, the development of disease after treatment with or without phages was measured in odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Based on the findings of 17 clinical trials conducted between 1921 and 1940, phage therapy was effective (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.44, P value < 0.0001). The current study includes a topic review on modern clinical trials; four could be analyzed, indicating a noneffective therapy (OR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.53 to 5.27, P value = 0.0009). The results suggest phage therapy was surprisingly less effective than standard treatments in resolving bacterial infections. However, the results were affected by the small sample set size. This work also contextualizes the development of phage therapy in the early 20th century and highlights the expansion of phage applications in the last few years. In conclusion, the current review shows phage therapy is no longer an underestimated tool in the treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Marongiu
- Department of Biochemistry of Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Markus Burkard
- Department of Biochemistry of Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ulrich M. Lauer
- Department of Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ludwig E. Hoelzle
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sascha Venturelli
- Department of Biochemistry of Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Vegetative and Clinical Physiology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Alternatives Therapeutic Approaches to Conventional Antibiotics: Advantages, Limitations and Potential Application in Medicine. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121826. [PMID: 36551487 PMCID: PMC9774722 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to antimicrobials and particularly multidrug resistance is one of the greatest challenges in the health system nowadays. The continual increase in the rates of antimicrobial resistance worldwide boosted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses a major public health threat. Different approaches have been employed to minimize the effect of resistance and control this threat, but the question still lingers as to their safety and efficiency. In this context, new anti-infectious approaches against multidrug resistance are being examined. Use of new antibiotics and their combination with new β-lactamase inhibitors, phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, nanoparticles, and antisense antimicrobial therapeutics are considered as one such promising approach for overcoming bacterial resistance. In this review, we provide insights into these emerging alternative therapies that are currently being evaluated and which may be developed in the future to break the progression of antimicrobial resistance. We focus on their advantages and limitations and potential application in medicine. We further highlight the importance of the combination therapy approach, wherein two or more therapies are used in combination in order to more effectively combat infectious disease and increasing access to quality healthcare. These advances could give an alternate solution to overcome antimicrobial drug resistance. We eventually hope to provide useful information for clinicians who are seeking solutions to the problems caused by antimicrobial resistance.
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