Effect of Phage Therapy on Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic-resistant infections pose a significant challenge to global health, and innovative solutions are urgently needed. Phage therapy, the therapeutic use of bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections, has been suggested as a potential alternative to antibiotics. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of phage therapy on antibiotic-resistant infections. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published in the last twenty years. Studies were included if they assessed the impact of phage therapy on antibiotic-resistant infections. Data were extracted systematically, and a qualitative synthesis was performed. Results: From the 5 studies that met our inclusion criteria, phage therapy demonstrated a consistent safety profile with no significant adverse events reported. Specific results included a treatment response in 18% of patients using intravesical Pyo bacteriophage, reduced bacterial burden in patients with burn wounds treated with anti-P aeruginosa bacteriophages, and significant reduction in P. aeruginosa counts in patients with chronic otitis using Biophage-PA. Conclusion: The evidence gathered in this systematic review shows that phage therapy could potentially serve as a safe and efficacious treatment alternative for antibiotic-resistant infections. The heterogeneity of the studies regarding design, interventions, and outcome measures underlines the necessity for more standardized, large-scale studies to validate these findings and further explore the potential of phage therapy. The development of a comprehensive framework for phage therapy application may offer a promising direction in combatting the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.