Recent advances in bacteriophage therapy: how delivery routes, formulation, concentration and timing influence the success of phage therapy

Objectives: Bacteriophages are bacteria-specific viruses that infect and, in the case of obligately lytic phages, destroy their host bacteria. Phage therapy has been used therapeutically to combat bacterial infections since their discovery. This paper reviewed recent in-vivo phage therapy studies, with a distinct focus on the effect of delivery routes, phage concentration and timing of administration on the success of the therapy.

Key findings: It was found that the most successful route of administration for the treatment of systemic infections was via the parenteral route. Oral delivery is mainly used to treat gastrointestinal infections. However, in some cases phages can also reach the systemic circulation. Local delivery (skin, ears, teeth) has proved extremely successful in the treatment of topical infections, as has the inhalation of phages for the treatment of lung infections. The ability of phages to prevent biofilm formation on medical devices has received much attention, mainly in the area of catheter coatings. This review also highlights areas in which phage therapy needs substantial development. Many papers were lacking in formulation details, with crude phage stocks being used in most cases. No phage stability data were included in any of the papers.

Summary: The review concluded that although phage therapy is an excellent alternative for the treatment of bacterial infections, optimisation of formulations and long-term stability data is required before it can be widely used within a clinical setting.