Use of Phages to Treat Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella Infections in Poultry

Abstract

Salmonellosis is one of the most common bacterial infections that impacts both human health and poultry production. Although antibiotics are usually recommended for treating Salmonella infections, their misuse results in the evolution and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. To minimize the health and economic burdens associated with antimicrobial resistance, a novel antibacterial strategy that can obliterate pathogens without any adverse effects on humans and animals is urgently required. Therefore, therapeutic supplementation of phages has gained renewed attention because of their unique ability to lyse specific hosts, cost-effective production, environmentally-friendly properties, and other potential advantages over antibiotics. In addition, the safety and efficacy of phage therapy for controlling poultry-associated Salmonella have already been proven through experimental studies. Phages can be applied at every stage of poultry production, processing, and distribution through different modes of application. Despite having a few limitations, the optimized and regulated use of phage cocktails may prove to be an effective option to combat infections caused by MDR pathogens in the post-antibiotic era. This article mainly focuses on the occurrence of salmonellosis in poultry and its reduction with the aid of bacteriophages. We particularly discuss the prevalence of Salmonella infections in poultry and poultry products; review the trends in antibiotic resistance; and summarize the application, challenges, and prospects of phage therapy in the poultry industry.

Intervention Strategies to Control Campylobacter at Different Stages of the Food Chain

“…Despite the number of studies reporting significant efficacy in experimental settings, the major shortcomings of commercial application of bacteriophages, include the high specificity of the selected phages, as such universal applicability and efficacy of phage strains are not achievable, in addition to the lack of evidence over their safety and stability [ 175 ]. For example, in a previous study, phage CP8 exhibited variable effectiveness against different serotypes of C. jejuni [ 172 ].…”

Recent Advances in the Application of Bacteriophages against Common Foodborne Pathogens

“…The potential of bacteriophages in combating Salmonella infections has been confirmed in numerous studies [ 25 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. A recent example is the research of Yan et al (2020), who investigated the efficacy of the LYPSET phage in elimination of S. enterica in food products.…”

Phage Therapy vs. the Use of Antibiotics in the Treatment of Salmonella-Infected Chickens: Comparison of Effects on Hematological Parameters and Selected Biochemical Markers

“…In order to prevent or limit the development of antibiotic resistance, the use of antibiotics in livestock feed has been forbidden in the European Union, and there are partial restrictions in the United States [ 4 , 8 , 9 ]. For this reason, the development of novel therapies and approaches to protect poultry from S. enterica infection is required [ 5 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”