Bacteriophage Therapy as an Antibiotic Alternative
Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically target and infect bacterial cells. With the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens, phage therapy has gained renewed attention as a highly specific biological intervention. These viruses act as natural predators, providing a potential solution to infections that no longer respond to conventional chemical antibiotic treatments.
The specificity of phages allows for the targeted destruction of harmful bacteria while preserving the host's beneficial microbiome. This "precision killing" is a major advantage over broad-spectrum antibiotics, which often cause significant collateral damage to healthy bacterial populations. Clinical application involves the careful selection of lytic phages.
The life cycle of a lytic bacteriophage begins with the recognition of specific surface receptors on the target bacterium. Once attached, the phage injects its genetic material into the host cell. The bacterial machinery is then hijacked to produce viral components. This process culminates in the production of endolysins—enzymes that break down the bacterial…