Search

Bacteriophages show anti-inflammatory properties by affecting the immune system by lowering the level of cytokines and other pro-inflammatory mediators. The epithelium of the respiratory tract is an important mechanical defensive barrier of immunity. It also plays a key role in controlling many of the functions of the airways. It is a source of cytokines and mediators involved in the inflammatory process. In this study, a divergent, time- and concentration-dependent effect on the synthesis of 15-HETE as well as the regenerative properties of the respiratory epithelium was demonstrated. The results obtained in the study may allow for a better understanding of the influence of bacteriophages present in the human body on immunological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The „golden age” of antibiotics seems to be coming to an end. The effect of uncontrolled distribution of chemotherapeutic agents in animal production is the commonly growing phenomenon of dramatic drug resistance in bacterial populations. At the end of the 20th century, the repeated failures to effectively control of bacterial infections have initiated the introduction of legislative procedures to limit the use of antibiotics, especially as feed additives in animals. The next step was the developing of alternative for antibiotics to control bacteria, with particular emphasis on natural substances as extracts and oils obtained from plants, which have been used against Gram – positive and Gram – negative bacteria, as well as Candida fungi. These are cationic peptides stabilized by cysteine (defensins and cathelicidins) – identified both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Other examples are the nanoparticles, especially silver, gold or platinum. The use of bacteriophages as natural anti-bacterial agents, which bactericidal effect has been demonstrated in numerous experimental therapies in humans and animals, also deserves special emphasis. In this article scientific approaches to novel antibacterial therapies were presented and briefly discussed. As a consequence of the threat of widespread and global growth of multi-resistant bacteria there is a strong need to develop of alternative for antibiotics in elimination of multidrug resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the modern methods of treatment of wounds covered by a biofilm is bacteriophage therapy. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria. Phages have a very strong bactericidal effect and can replicate at the site of the infection. They spread in the biofilm, and have the capacity for enzymatic degradation of the polymeric matrix material. Phage therapy has a high level of security and efficacy against resistant bacteria. Results of clinical studies with probiotic bacteria have shown effectiveness similar to antiseptics. Probiotic bacteria or substances produced by these bacteria may be an effective means in the fight against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. An innovative method of fighting bacterial biofilm is also the use of metal nanoparticles (NPs). Preliminary studies have shown beneficial effects of NPs in reducing the biofilm layer. New therapies will rapidly and effectively treat chronic wounds and reduce the cost of care for chronic ulcers.

The ability to form biofilm is an important virulence factor of many microorganisms. Infections involving biofilms account for approx. 65% of all human infections. Biofilms may develop on intravascular catheters or implanted devices such as prosthetic heart valves. Implanted devices are covered by biofilm and become reservoirs of microorganisms which can be a cause of persistent infections (endocarditis, deep tissue abscesses, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis). Treatment of infections caused by biofilm-growing cells is linked to a high risk of failure due to an extreme resistance to antimicrobial agents and increased capacity to evade the immune responses. A large number of biofilm-associated infections involve Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment of staphylococcal infections is a great challenge for clinicians because of the presence of various mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics in S. aureus, for example methicillin resistance and biofilm production. Therapeutic difficulties related with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and limitations in research on new antimicrobials were the reasons that nearly 100 years after discovery, bacteriophages caught the attention of scientists around the world as a new therapeutic option for bacterial infections. Numerous in vitro studies on S. aureus strains showed that phages can both prevent biofilm formation and contribute to the elimination of bacteria from the mature biofilm structure. The major role in biofilm eradication play depolymerases produced by some phages which facilitate their penetration into the inner layers of biofilm by disturbing the biofilm structure. This leads to the conclusion that bacteriophages treatment might become a new strategy in the prevention and eradication of infectious bacterial biofilms, including these formed by S. aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is estimated that each year more than 2 million people suffer from diarrheal diseases, resulting from the consumption of contaminated meat. Foodborne infections are most frequently caused by small Gram-negative rods Campylobacter. The hosts of these bacteria are mainly birds wherein they are part of the normal intestinal flora. During the commercial slaughter, there is a likelihood of contamination of carcasses by the bacteria found in the intestinal content. In Europe, up to 90% of poultry flocks can be a reservoir of the pathogen. According to the European Food Safety Authority report from 2015, the number of reported and confirmed cases of human campylobacteriosis exceeds 200 thousands per year, and such trend remains at constant level for several years. The occurrence of growing antibiotic resistance in bacteria forces the limitation of antibiotic use in the animal production. Therefore, the European Union allows only using stringent preventive and hygienic treatment on farms. Achieving Campylobacter free chickens using these methods is possible, but difficult to implement and expensive. Utilization of bacterial viruses - bacteriophages, can be a path to provide the hygienic conditions of poultry production and food processing. Formulations applied in the food protection should contain strictly lytic bacteriophages, be non-pyrogenic and retain long lasting biological activity. Currently, on the market there are available commercial bacteriophage preparations for agricultural use, but neither includes phages against Campylobacter. However, papers on the application of bacteriophages against Campylobacter in chickens and poultry products were published in the last few years. In accordance with the estimates, 2-logarithm reduction of Campylobacter in poultry carcases will contribute to the 30-fold reduction in the incidence of campylobacteriosis in humans. Research on bacteriophages against Campylobacter have cognitive and economic importance. The paper presents current state of research on bacteriophages targeted against Campylobacter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses specific towards bacterial strains and are natural regulators of bacterial populations in nature. Interest in the therapeutic use of phages is growing due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Bacteriophage proteins are responsible for phage specificity and virulence. These proteins are i) adhesins, capable of recognizing specific receptors on the bacterial surface, ii) enzymes responsible for destroying bacterial cell wall components or bacterial slime, and iii) structural proteins making up the phage capsid. Bacteriophage enzymes destroy the bacterial cell wall from both outside and inside by hydrolyzing carbohydrate and protein components. All these proteins protect phage genetic material, secure injection of the phage nucleic acid into the bacterial cell, and promote phage propagation. Our better understanding of how bacterial viruses function may help to combat antibiotic resistant human pathogens and expand the use of bacteriophages to animal and plant care. Other applications may include food processing and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]