- Bernaitis L1*, Nidhyashree V2, Shri Shanmathi K2, Dhana Packiya Lakshmi B2, Dhanalakshmi M2, Bharathipriya M2
- Associate professor, Department of Microbiology, Nandha Siddha Medical College and Hospital, Erode-638052.
- 12-14
Abstract: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections
have become an escalating global health crisis, significantly limiting the
effectiveness of antibiotics. With rising resistance rates, the need for
alternative treatment strategies is more critical than ever. Phage therapy,
which utilizes bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and kill
bacteria—has emerged as a promising alternative. Phages offer a highly specific
mechanism of action and can be used synergistically with antibiotics to improve
treatment efficacy. Advances in phage engineering, delivery methods, and their
combination with antibiotics enhance their therapeutic potential, particularly
against MDR pathogens. However, challenges such as phage resistance, regulatory
barriers, and delivery efficiency remain. This review explores the mechanisms
of phage action, clinical applications in MDR infections, and the future
directions in phage therapy research.
Keywords: Multidrug-resistant bacteria, bacteriophage, phage therapy, antibiotic
resistance, biofilms, alternative therapies.
