Phage Therapy

Bacteriophages, also called phages, are viruses that infect and replicate only in bacterial cells. They are the natural predators of bacteria. Phages are now being used extensively in phage therapies, wherein naturally-occurring phages are used to infect and lyse bacteria at the site of infection. Phage therapy uses bacterial viruses to combat the populations of pathogenic bacteria. Phage therapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating bacterial infections and an alternative to antibiotics in cases of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The process of phage therapy involves isolating and purifying bacteriophages specific to the infection-causing bacteria. Thereafter, these phages are administered into the body of the patient using oral, topical, or intravenous approach. After bacteriophages have reached inside the patient, they infect and replicate within the bacteria, which causes the bacteria to burst and die. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the theory and practice of phage therapy. It is a vital tool for all researching and studying this field.