At the Bavarian Center for Phage Therapy (BayPha), researchers are focused on leveraging the unique capacity of phages to selectively target and eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains for therapeutic purposes. Phage therapy holds significant potential –not only for treating acute infections with precision but also for preventive applications, such as eliminating asymptomatic colonization of resistant bacteria while preserving beneficial gut flora.
Multidrug-resistant pathogens are among the greatest global health threats. Each year, 35,000 people in the EU die from infections caused by resistant bacteria; worldwide, the number has already reached 1.27 million – with projections of up to 10 million deaths annually by 20501. To counter this alarming development, we are focusing on a promising approach to conventional antibiotics: bacteriophages.
Bacteriophages are natural enemies of bacteria and integral components of our microbiome. Phages exhibit a high degree of specificity in targeting bacterial hosts, allowing them to actively shape and regulate the complex microbial ecosystems within the body. They can target both antibiotic-resistant and sensitive pathogens, playing a vital role in maintaining microbial balance (homeostasis) in the gut.
References:
- “Antimicrobial resistance“, World Health Organization, November 21, 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance#:~:text=Key%20facts,AMR%20has%20significant%20economic%20costs