Phage Therapy

Phage therapy, viral phage therapy, or phagotherapy is the treatment of pathogenic bacterial infections with antibiotics. Bacteriophage is a type of virus. The phage attaches to the bacterial cell and injects the viral genome into the cell. The viral genome effectively replaces the bacterial genome and prevents bacterial infections. The bacterial cells that cause the infection cannot reproduce but instead produce additional phages. Bacteriophages are highly selective for the bacterial strains they are effective against. Advantages include reducing side effects and reducing the risk of bacterial resistance. Disadvantages include difficulty in finding effective phages for specific infections. However, toxic phages are easier to be separated than other compounds and natural products. It uses viruses to treat bacterial infections. Bacteriophages exist in soil, sewage, water, and other places where bacteria live. These viruses help control the growth of bacteria in nature. Bacteriophages are currently used to treat bacterial infections that do not respond to conventional antibiotics.

Fig 1. Steps to bacterial lysis in phage and lysin therapy (Fischetti V A, et al. 2006)

Our Solutions

Phage therapy can treat biological prevention and control bacterial infections in humans, livestock, and even food, etc.

In agricultural practice, we provide solutions that combat pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Escherichia, and Salmonella in farm animals.
In aquaculture, we provide solutions against Lactococcus and Vibrio pathogens, as well as Erwinia, Xanthomonas, and other important plants related pathogens.

Models for implementation of phage therapy

Fixed-formulation phage cocktails

Since phage matching and formula development or modification are avoided, the fixed formula method requires less effort at all stages after formula regulatory approval.

Cocktail banks or individual phages

The phage bank method is very flexible, but also somewhat labor-intensive, especially before starting treatment.

Nonfixed formulation cocktails

A single cocktail but modifiable approach represents a middle ground, allowing flexibility in formulating in response to bacterial resistance, but essentially requires less effort during use.

The advantages of Phage Therapy Include:

Bacteriophages can fight treatable and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
They can be used alone or with antibiotics and other drugs.
The phages multiply on their own and increase in number during treatment (may only require one dose).
They only slightly interfere with the normal "good" bacteria in the body.
Bacteriophages are natural and easy to find.
They are harmless (nontoxic) to the body.
They are non-toxic to animals, plants, and the environment.

Creative Biolabs can meet the needs of customers by providing phage therapy on time and on budget. We have in-depth knowledge and experience of the tools and processes involved in phage projects. Our skilled and dedicated scientific researchers ensure that the most suitable methods and techniques are selected for your project. If necessary, please feel free to contact us.

References

Fischetti V A, Nelson D, Schuch R. Reinventing phage therapy: are the parts greater than the sum?[J]. Nature biotechnology, 2006, 24(12): 1508-1511.
Luong T, Salabarria A C, Roach D R. Phage therapy in the resistance era: where do we stand and where are we going?[J]. Clinical Therapeutics, 2020.

Please kindly note that our services can only be used to support research purposes (Not for clinical use).