From forgotten cure to modern medicine: The resurgence of bacteriophage therapy

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The unregulated use of antibiotics has led to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. This study explores bacteriophage therapy as an alternative treatment, highlighting its history, significance, and advancements in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. Methods: A comprehensive literature review on bacteriophage therapy was conducted, focusing on its development, clinical trials, and patient treatment applications. The study also examined challenges, limitations, criteria for ideal phage selection, and manipulation techniques. Results: The United States and several European countries have advanced in phage therapy, progressing from clinical trials to patient treatment, whereas Middle Eastern countries are still in the early stages. Bacteriophages offer specificity, abundance, and minimal side effects, but challenges like safety concerns and potential resistance limit their widespread use. Conclusion: Bacteriophage therapy shows promise as an antibiotic alternative but faces safety and resistance challenges. Continued research and better regulatory frameworks, especially in the Middle East, are needed to realize its potential.