Recent advances in the treatment of biofilms induced surgical site infections

Current Knowledge and Perspectives of Phage Therapy for Combating Refractory Wound Infections

Wound infection is one of the most important factors affecting wound healing, so its effective control is critical to promote the process of wound healing. However, with the increasing prevalence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains, the prevention and treatment of wound infections are now more challenging, imposing heavy medical and financial burdens on patients. Furthermore, the diminishing effectiveness of conventional antimicrobials and the declining research on new antibiotics necessitate the urgent exploration of alternative treatments for wound infections. Recently, phage therapy has been revitalized as a promising strategy to address the challenges posed by bacterial infections in the era of antibiotic resistance. The use of phage therapy in treating infectious diseases has demonstrated positive results. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms, characteristics, and delivery methods of phage therapy for combating pathogenic bacteria. Then, we focus on the clinical application of various phage therapies in managing refractory wound infections, such as diabetic foot infections, as well as traumatic, surgical, and burn wound infections. Additionally, an analysis of the potential obstacles and challenges of phage therapy in clinical practice is presented, along with corresponding strategies for addressing these issues. This review serves to enhance our understanding of phage therapy and provides innovative avenues for addressing refractory infections in wound healing.

Phage therapy as a glimmer of hope in the fight against the recurrence or emergence of surgical site bacterial infections

PURPOSE

Over the last decade, surgery rates have risen alarmingly, and surgical-site infections are expanding these concerns. In spite of advances in infection control practices, surgical infections continue to be a significant cause of death, prolonged hospitalization, and morbidity. As well as the presence of bacterial infections and their antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation is one of the challenges in the treatment of surgical wounds.

METHODS

This review article was based on published studies on inpatients and laboratory animals receiving phage therapy for surgical wounds, phage therapy for tissue and bone infections treated with surgery to prevent recurrence, antibiotic-resistant wound infections treated with phage therapy, and biofilm-involved surgical wounds treated with phage therapy which were searched without date restrictions.

RESULTS

It has been shown in this review article that phage therapy can be used to treat surgical-site infections in patients and animals, eliminate biofilms at the surgical site, prevent infection recurrence in wounds that have been operated on, and eradicate antibiotic-resistant infections in surgical wounds, including multi-drug resistance (MDR), extensively drug resistance (XDR), and pan-drug resistance (PDR). A cocktail of phages and antibiotics can also reduce surgical-site infections more effectively than phages alone.

CONCLUSION

In light of these encouraging results, clinical trials and research with phages will continue in the near future to treat surgical-site infections, biofilm removal, and antibiotic-resistant wounds, all of which could be used to prescribe phages as an alternative to antibiotics.