Insights into phage therapy for Mycobacterium infections

The irrational use of antibiotics has led to the persistent emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, extensively drug-resistant bacteria, and even superbugs, pushing humanity toward a post-antibiotic era devoid of effective antibiotics. Consequently, the quest for novel treatment strategies has become an urgent priority. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, originate from a variety of sources and exhibit high host specificity. This makes them an exceptional alternative to antibiotics, offering superior bactericidal efficacy. Their unique characteristics provide a novel approach to treating drug-resistant bacterial infections, offering a promising avenue for improving human health. Mycobacteriophages are a specific family of bacteriophages that parasitize bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium and are ubiquitously distributed in nature. They play a crucial role in regulating mycobacterial infection and advancing antimicrobial therapy. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to the structure, infection mechanism, clinical applications, phage resistance, and research progress of mycobacteriophages. The aim is to enhance our understanding of their characteristics and potential applications in biomedicine, providing a comprehensive reference for related research.