HEAL ▶▶▶TH
Pros and cons of using phages
BY PILAR GARCÍA SUÁREZ AND ANA RODRÍGUEZ GONZÁLEZ T
ruly alarming, is how best to describe the most re- cent data about resistance to antibiotics for patho- genic bacteria. After all, they also affect the human health situation. It is estimated that per year, it is the cause of 25,000 human casualties in the European Union (EU) alone; worldwide, 700,000 lives are lost. In 2050, this tenden- cy would lead to a situation where infection-related deaths will be more common than deaths as a result of cancer. Apart from human losses, antibiotic resistance also repre- sents an economic burden. Health spending in the EU be- cause of resistance-related problems are estimated to cost € 1.5 billion. In that context, the European authorities have started up various programmes in an attempt to slow down the spread of harmful bacteria.
One Health action plan The EU programme ‘One Health action plan against anti- microbial resistance’ has been created to coordinate and im- plement laws aimed at preventing and controlling the prob- lem throughout all countries. In addition, the plan was designed to invigorate research and development into novel alternative therapeutic methods. With regard to animal health, the problem has been particu- larly serious as a large number of zoonotic bacteria are caus- ing infections in humans as well. On top of that, it is impor- tant to note that the indiscriminate usage of antibiotics in certain parts of the animal production industry has led to the development of resistant bacteria that can even be found in hospitals. Any solution to this global problem, affecting various market segments (agribusiness, health care, environment), should be considered from various angles. That is why there is a plea for a reduction of the usage of antibiotics and disinfectants, which have to be substituted by other types of antimicrobial approaches that ideally will lead to a low frequency of resist- ant bacteria. Also, it should be key to find alternatives that one can use to fight multi-resistant bacteria.
Bacteriophages and enzybiotics Bacteriophages or simply phages (see Figure 1) are viruses that exclusively infect bacteria. Within these bacteria, they
The world of health and nutrition is currently wondering how to tackle issues related to antibiotic resistance. The use of bacteriophages or enzybiotics might form a good alternative. What are they exactly, what are the pros and cons and most importantly – how can they be used?
replicate and produce new virus particles which are set free as soon as the bacteria either disintegrates or explodes. This capacity of being able to destroy bacteria makes phages powerful antimicrobials and exactly that characteristic could be exploited while treating various infectious diseases, i.e. by phage treatment. This type of treatment was discovered by Felix d’Herelle at the beginning of the 20th
century and it was used in Eastern
Europe for many years until the usage of antibiotics became commonplace. Nevertheless, in Poland and the former Soviet Union, the usage of phages for antimicrobial purposes has continued. These days, more western nations are also looking more into the use of phages in an attempt to fight infections.
Figure 1 - Illustration of the antimicrobial activity of bacteriophages.
1. Injection of phage genetic material; 2. Replication of the genetic material; 3. Assembly of new phage particles;
4. Bacterial disintegration and release of new phages.
Bacteriophage 1
2 4 3 AB Bacteria AB Bacterial culture Culture + enzybiotic C
A: Bacterial culture; B: Bacterial culture after having been treated with a phage suspension; this culture is not turbid as the phages have killed the bacteria; C: Drawing of the phases of this process.
▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 1, 2019 33
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