The bacteriophages and their gene products as antimicrobial agents
García, E.; López, R.
Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia Publicacion Oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia 15(4): 306-312
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0214-3429 PMID: 12587035 Document Number: 545414
The viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages or phages) were first isolated about 90 years ago. Phages have been fundamental tools in the development of molecular biology. Phages were early hypothesized as therapeutic agents for combatting pathogenic bacteria. However, the discovery and successful use of antibiotics to treat infectious diseases hindered this aim. the development of bacterial resistance to most available drugs has recently led researchers to test the possibilities of using phages as therapeutic agents. We review here recent achievements in this field, taking into consideration former bias in handling phages as well as previous achievements carried out in Eastern Europe where bacteriophages have been employed for decades as an alternative to antibiotics.