Vol. 15 No. 73- 87 (2023): A review on phage therapy

The world's health is currently under threat from antibiotic resistance, as more and more
infections become practically impossible to treat or extremely difficult to manage. As a result
of this circumstance, there are now more illnesses, deaths, and financial obligations. One
intriguing treatment option among the many approaches to combat antibiotic resistance is the
use of bacteriophages, viruses that infect and kill bacteria. Despite its initiation almost a
century ago, phage therapy faced a setback following the successful introduction of antibiotics.
However, in the current landscape marked by rising antibiotic resistance, phage therapy is
experiencing resurgence. This review provides an overview of phage therapy starting with its
historical origins dating back to the early 20th century, it discusses the mechanism of phage
action, results of human clinical trials, also addressing the significant barriers hindering the
use of phages in clinical settings. Finally, this review discusses future directions and
opportunities for integrating phage therapy into clinical practice.