Archive for year: 2019

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Bacteriophages can fight diseases in aquaculture.

Bacteriophages would be a good tool in aquaculture facilities, say scientists in Finland, after discovering that the viruses survive up to 21 days in recirculating aquaculture systems and could be a long-term solution against bacterial diseases. Theoretically,…

Using phages to combat alcohol-related liver damage?

"Treatment options for alcoholic hepatitis, a liver disease associated with heavy alcohol consumption, are limited. Studies in mice show that the microorganisms responsible for this condition can be targeted with a viral treatment. In 1984,…

Phage-specific diverse effects of bacterial viruses on the immune system

"With the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance, interest in phage therapy (PT) as a potential solution to this crisis has rapidly grown. Recently, several reports have been published describing successful treatment of patients with life-threatening…

Phage-Specific Diverse Effects of Bacterial Viruses on the Immune System

"With the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance, interest in phage therapy (PT) as a potential solution to this crisis has risen rapidly. Recently, several reports have been published describing successful treatment of patients with life-threatening…

A historical overview of phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial pathogens

"With the launch of the new Bacteriophage Journal in early 2011, Alexander Sulakvelidze defined bacteriophages as "the most ubiquitous organisms on Earth, playing a vital role in maintaining the microbial balance on this planet. Indeed, bacteriophages,…

A historical overview of phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial pathogens

"With the launch of the new Bacteriophage Journal in early 2011, Alexander Sulakvelidze defined bacteriophages as “the most ubiquitous organisms on Earth, playing a vital role in maintaining the microbial balance on this planet. Indeed, bacteriophages,…

Bacteriophages, Superbugs and the U.S. Soldier

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health problems worldwide. Army scientists have developed a new weapon to combat superbugs that can protect soldiers and fight resistance. Bacteriophages, a virus that infects and replicates…
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This gene makes Salmonella resistant to all antibiotics

"Antibiotics were undoubtedly one of the most important medical developments of the 20th century. At the same time, however, they are becoming one of the great challenges of the 21st century. Thanks to very loose prescription practices for human…

Phage cocktail reduces Salmonella on a commercial chicken farm

According to the World Health Organization, Salmonella is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens found in food. Poultry products are considered to be the primary source of Salmonella, which means that Salmonella must be controlled before…
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Antibiotics Contaminate Rivers Worldwide

"The research team searched for residues of 14 commonly prescribed antibiotics in rivers from 72 different countries. Antibiotics were found in almost two-thirds of the samples. Dangerous pollution levels were measured particularly frequently…

Bacteriophages reduce the number of pathogenic Escherichia coli in mice without altering the gut flora

"We conducted a study to (i) investigate the efficacy of a bacteriophage cocktail against Escherichia coli/Salmonella spp./Listeria monocytogenes (preliminarily called FOP) to reduce a human pathogenic E. coli strain O157:H7 in experimentally…

Bacteriophages in Food Processing

Foodborne illnesses, despite many advances in food hygiene and pathogen surveillance, remain a leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. Conventional antimicrobial methods such as pasteurization, high-pressure processing, irradiation,…
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Pills instead of a doctor’s visit

"Your own child has a fever, is in pain, is coughing—what should you do? Seeing a doctor would be advisable, but for parents in Kenya’s slums this is often not possible. Instead, they buy cheap antibiotics—with dangerous consequences."…

Bacteriophages: Why the antibiotic alternative is struggling

"Bacteriophages are viruses with one goal: to gain control over pathogens. They can help where antibiotics fail. However, they still face a difficult legal standing in the EU. The result is medical tourism. A search for clues. Maximilian…

Phage Therapy for Pneumonia and Inflammatory Response

"Supported by years of clinical application in some countries and more recently by literature on experimental models as well as compassionate use in Europe and the USA, bacteriophage (phage) therapy offers a solution for difficult-to-treat bacterial…

Therapeutic Potential of Phages in Autoimmune Liver Diseases

Autoimmune liver disease (ALD) presents a significant medical challenge, as there is a considerable number of patients for whom current therapy offers questionable or no benefit, yet side effects can be severe, including the development of malignancy.…

Bacteriophages versus antibiotic therapy on gut bacterial communities in green sea turtles

Green sea turtles are endangered herbivorous hindgut fermenters that contribute to a variety of marine ecosystems. In turtle hospitals, weakened turtles are often rehabilitated. Since the precise diagnosis of a disease is difficult, broad-spectrum…

Bacterial Killers in the Clinic

Because they could complement antibiotics, researchers worldwide are working with bacteriophages, bacteria-infecting viruses. The first preparations containing these bacterial killers are already in clinical development. A study is also expected…

Bacteriophages found to combat antibiotic resistance in kitchen sponges

Researchers at the New York Institute of Technology have discovered that bacteriophages that combat antibiotic resistance may be present in household kitchen sponges. As the threat of antibiotic resistance grows, bacteriophages, or phages for…