Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1 Iraqi Center for Cancer and Medical Genetic Research, Mustansiriyah University, Iraq
2 Department of Applied Sciences, University of Technology - Iraq, Iraq
3 Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Iraq
Abstract
The increasing number of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics poses a major challenge to public health. Therefore, research into new treatment methods is essential to overcome these challenges. Phage treatment is a promising technique to increase the efficacy of antimicrobials against resistant microbes. This review documents the ability of bacteriophages to interact with conventional antibiotics due to their specificity and adaptability to target and control bacterial populations, especially when used in combination with antibiotics. Combination therapy can deliver the lowest effective concentration of antibiotics while reducing toxicity. Research has confirmed that the synergy of phages and antibiotics can disrupt biofilms and delay the development of resistance, which could prolong the efficacy of existing antibiotics. In addition, this study highlights challenges such as stability, delivery and clearance and underlines the importance of developing optimized phage-antibiotic combinations. It also discusses new technologies such as phagemids and CRISPR-mediated phage, including the modification of phage genetic material to improve their ability to target specific bacterial infections. The phages are modified to recognize bacterial surface markers or contain sequences that improve their effectiveness against resistant strains. The modifications offer new methods to improve this integrated therapy. Understanding the optimal conditions for the interaction between phages and antibiotics is crucial for the transition of research from the preclinical to the clinical phase. The synergy of phages and antibiotics is a promising strategy to fight infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, further research is needed to use them in the clinic.
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