Learning from Bacteriophages - Advantages and Limitations of Phage and Phage-Encoded Protein Applications

Abstract

The emergence of bacteria resistance to most of the currently available antibiotics has become a critical therapeutic problem. The bacteria causing both hospital and community-acquired infections are most often multidrug resistant. In view of the alarming level of antibiotic resistance between bacterial species and difficulties with treatment, alternative or supportive antibacterial cure has to be developed. The presented review focuses on the major characteristics of bacteriophages and phage-encoded proteins affecting their usefulness as antimicrobial agents. We discuss several issues such as mode of action, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, resistance and manufacturing aspects of bacteriophages and phage-encoded proteins application.

Efficacy of Artilysin Art-175 against Resistant and Persistent Acinetobacter baumannii

“…The ability of purified, phage-derived endolysins to kill bacteria was discovered in 1959, and over the years, research on phage endolysins and their ability as new antibacterials has greatly progressed (29,30). The unique nature of endolysins makes them highly attractive antibacterials for Gram-positive bacteria and provides several advantages over conventional antibiotics.…”

“…Indeed, endolysins do not disturb the normal human microflora due to their high specificity, and they provide novel antimicrobial mechanisms, have a small chance of developing bacterial resistance, and are able to kill colonizing pathogens on mucosal surfaces (31,32). The potent effect of these phage-encoded endolysins against different Gram-positive pathogens has been extensively reviewed (29,(33)(34)(35).…”

Disrupting the mixed-species biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO using bacteriophages alone or in combination with xylitol

“…However, advantages such as their highly specific, self-replicating and selflimiting nature, their inexpensive and easy production, and their ability to act on antibiotic-resistant bacteria outweigh these concerns (Drulis-Kawa et al, 2012). Xylitol is regularly used in various commercial formulations (Lynch & Milgrom, 2003).…”

The microbiome and its pharmacological targets: therapeutic avenues in cardiometabolic diseases

“…With the potential of phages to be genetically modified and converted into precise tools to target specific bacteria -and therefore, specific metabolites and signalling pathways -phage therapy surges now as a potentially powerful tool for gut microbiota modulation. However, the cost and the challenges of phage manufacturing techniques have slowed down the development of phage based therapy [65], as well as ethical considerations regarding the use of genetically-modified organisms as a potential cure for disease.…”