phage therapy

medicine

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Phage therapy is a medical treatment that uses bacteriophages to combat bacterial infections. Bacteriophages, often called phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria and archaea. They consist of genetic material enclosed in a protein shell.12

This therapy is gaining renewed interest due to the increasing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Because phages target particular bacterial strains, they offer a precise alternative to broad-spectrum antibiotics. While promising, especially for drug-resistant infections, phage therapy is still considered experimental in many regions, with ongoing research to confirm its safety and effectiveness.12

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bacteriophage
Phage therapy
Phage therapy initially was not successful. After the discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s, it was virtually abandoned in many places, with the exception of eastern Europe, where it became widely used. In the early 21st century, with the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the therapeutic…
Read More
Phage therapy initially was not successful. After the discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s, it was virtually abandoned in many places, with the exception of eastern Europe, where it became widely used. In the early 21st century, with the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the therapeutic…
Read More