Phage–Antibiotic Combination Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

Antibiotic resistance is evolving into a significant health concern worldwide. The utilization of bacteriophages, viruses that target bacteria, to address infections caused by bacteria is garnering global interest. Phage therapy is in its developing phase and demonstrating efficacy as a tailored treatment. Phage treatment interventions in individuals with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are yielding favorable results. However, phage therapy presents several hurdles, including the emergence of phage resistance, the development of anti-phage antibody responses, and difficulties in addressing biofilms, among others. To address these issues associated with phage (mono) therapy, phage–antibiotic combination therapy can be employed to augment bacterial eradication, diminish the likelihood of resistance development, and ultimately enhance therapeutic outcomes.

This Special Issue focuses on recent findings regarding the combination of phage–antibiotic therapies for the treatment of bacterial infections. Phage–antibiotic synergy occurs when sublethal doses of specific antibiotics augment the binding efficacy of phages, resulting in enhanced bacterial eradication. Moreover, antibiotic-resistant bacteria may regain sensitivity to specific antibiotics in the presence of phage as a result of stress. Complex infections, such as biofilm and multi-bacterial infections, are effectively managed using phage–antibiotic combination therapy. There are unexplored areas to investigate, including therapeutic techniques and pre-phage and post-phage administration. This Special Issue solicits research articles on phage biology and characterization, encompassing phage–antibiotic studies as well as in vitro and in vivo studies to enhance our comprehension of phage–antibiotic combination therapy.

Dr. Prasanth Manohar
Guest Editor

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