Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and Antibiotics
ABSTRACT Background and Aim It is now known that bacteria are highly interactive and exhibit a range of complex cooperative behaviors, including conjugal plasmid transfer, toxins, swarming, drug resistance, toxin production, biofilm development, and other virulence traits. The development of phage–a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Health Science Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70956 |
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| author | Shima Afrasiabi Alireza Partoazar Ramin Goudarzi Ahmad Reza Dehpour |
| author_facet | Shima Afrasiabi Alireza Partoazar Ramin Goudarzi Ahmad Reza Dehpour |
| author_sort | Shima Afrasiabi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Background and Aim It is now known that bacteria are highly interactive and exhibit a range of complex cooperative behaviors, including conjugal plasmid transfer, toxins, swarming, drug resistance, toxin production, biofilm development, and other virulence traits. The development of phage–antibiotic synergy (PAS) could be a useful weapon against bacterial infections where antibiotics increase phage replication and antimicrobial activity. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of PAS in combating bacterial infections, focusing on the mechanisms and clinical implications. Methods A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted analyzing studies on PAS, including their effects on biofilm degradation, multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria, and toxin‐producing pathogens. Key factors such as timing, dosing and compatibility of phage‐antibiotic combinations were examined. Results PAS showed promising results in various bacterial infections. The combination of phages and antibiotics restored the susceptibility of MDR strains, facilitated the degradation of biofilms and minimized the need for high doses of antibiotics, thereby reducing potential side effects. However, challenges such as the emergence of resistance and antagonistic interactions with certain combinations remain. Key factors influencing the efficacy of PAS include phage and antibiotic dosing, timing of administration, and the physiological state of the bacteria. Conclusion PAS has potential applications in the treatment of complex infections. Despite the promising results, further research is essential to standardize protocols, optimize therapeutic combinations and address safety concerns. Clinical trials focusing on phage selection, resistance management and patient‐specific treatments will be crucial for the translation of PAS into clinical practice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8975f5c917704e4bbff8282de4baaf7e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2398-8835 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Science Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-8975f5c917704e4bbff8282de4baaf7e2025-08-20T03:39:32ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352025-07-0187n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.70956Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and AntibioticsShima Afrasiabi0Alireza Partoazar1Ramin Goudarzi2Ahmad Reza Dehpour3Laser Research Center of Dentistry, Dentistry Research Institute Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranExperimental Medicine Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranDivision of Research and Development Pharmin USA, LLC San Jose California USAExperimental Medicine Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranABSTRACT Background and Aim It is now known that bacteria are highly interactive and exhibit a range of complex cooperative behaviors, including conjugal plasmid transfer, toxins, swarming, drug resistance, toxin production, biofilm development, and other virulence traits. The development of phage–antibiotic synergy (PAS) could be a useful weapon against bacterial infections where antibiotics increase phage replication and antimicrobial activity. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of PAS in combating bacterial infections, focusing on the mechanisms and clinical implications. Methods A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted analyzing studies on PAS, including their effects on biofilm degradation, multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria, and toxin‐producing pathogens. Key factors such as timing, dosing and compatibility of phage‐antibiotic combinations were examined. Results PAS showed promising results in various bacterial infections. The combination of phages and antibiotics restored the susceptibility of MDR strains, facilitated the degradation of biofilms and minimized the need for high doses of antibiotics, thereby reducing potential side effects. However, challenges such as the emergence of resistance and antagonistic interactions with certain combinations remain. Key factors influencing the efficacy of PAS include phage and antibiotic dosing, timing of administration, and the physiological state of the bacteria. Conclusion PAS has potential applications in the treatment of complex infections. Despite the promising results, further research is essential to standardize protocols, optimize therapeutic combinations and address safety concerns. Clinical trials focusing on phage selection, resistance management and patient‐specific treatments will be crucial for the translation of PAS into clinical practice.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70956antibioticantimicrobial resistancebacteriophagebiofilmsMDRphage–antibiotic synergy |
| spellingShingle | Shima Afrasiabi Alireza Partoazar Ramin Goudarzi Ahmad Reza Dehpour Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and Antibiotics Health Science Reports antibiotic antimicrobial resistance bacteriophage biofilms MDR phage–antibiotic synergy |
| title | Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and Antibiotics |
| title_full | Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and Antibiotics |
| title_fullStr | Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and Antibiotics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and Antibiotics |
| title_short | Combined Forces Against Bacteria: Phages and Antibiotics |
| title_sort | combined forces against bacteria phages and antibiotics |
| topic | antibiotic antimicrobial resistance bacteriophage biofilms MDR phage–antibiotic synergy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70956 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shimaafrasiabi combinedforcesagainstbacteriaphagesandantibiotics AT alirezapartoazar combinedforcesagainstbacteriaphagesandantibiotics AT ramingoudarzi combinedforcesagainstbacteriaphagesandantibiotics AT ahmadrezadehpour combinedforcesagainstbacteriaphagesandantibiotics |