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Phage therapy for severe bacterial infections: a narrative review
Author(s) -
Petrovic Fabijan Aleksandra,
Khalid Ali,
Maddocks Susan,
Ho Josephine,
Gilbey Timothy,
Sandaradura Indy,
Lin Ruby CY,
Ben Zakour Nouri,
Venturini Carola,
Bowring Bethany,
Iredell Jonathan R
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/mja2.50355
Subject(s) - clinical microbiology , university hospital , medicine , research centre , family medicine , library science , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , computer science
Summary Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is re‐emerging a century after it began. Activity against antibiotic‐resistant pathogens and a lack of serious side effects make phage therapy an attractive treatment option in refractory bacterial infections. Phages are highly specific for their bacterial targets, but the relationship between in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy remains to be rigorously evaluated. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles of phage therapy are generally based on the classic predator–prey relationship, but numerous other factors contribute to phage clearance and optimal dosing strategies remain unclear. Combinations of fully characterised, exclusively lytic phages prepared under good manufacturing practice are limited in their availability. Safety has been demonstrated but randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate efficacy.