BACTERIOPHAGE THERAPY: A PROMISING ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTICS IN THE ERA OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE

Dharti Patel, Satyajit Sahoo*, Sohan Patel, Komal Rahevar, Mukesh Patel, D. B. Meshram

Bacteriophages, viruses that selectively infect and lyse bacteria, have gained renewed attention as a potential alternative to antibiotics in the fight against multidrug-resistant infections. This article provides an overview of the biology of bacteriophages, including their morphology, classification, host range specificity, and interaction mechanisms with bacteria. The therapeutic potential of phages is discussed through preclinical animal studies, biofilm, and their synergistic or antagonistic interactions with antibiotics. Although phage therapy offers significant advantages such as high specificity, ability to target antibiotic-resistant strains, and minimal disruption to normal flora, it also faces limitations including immune response, bacterial resistance, and lack of standardized regulatory frameworks. To overcome these barriers, strategies such as phage cocktails, genetic engineering, encapsulation, and phage banks are being explored. Beyond human medicine, phage therapy also demonstrates applications in veterinary practice, food safety, and environmental protection. Overall, bacteriophage therapy represents a promising and innovative approach that could complement or even replace antibiotics in the near future, provided that regulatory, pharmacological and clinical challenges are systematically addressed.