August 16, 2010
The Question
Could a neglected technology turn out to be an important mechanism against antibiotic resistance?
What we found
Bacteriophages are viruses with the natural ability to destroy bacteria, but research into phage therapy has been largely neglected since the advent of antibiotics. With antibiotic resistance on the rise and few new antibiotics in the development pipeline, evidence suggests that bacteriophages could provide a promising alternative to treating bacterial infections. More research is called for to determine if phage therapy could be a viable medical option in the future.
Why it matters
Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health crisis. Research into a range of treatment options for bacterial infections is urgently needed.
