Unlocking the Power of Phage Therapy in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Epidemiological research about phage therapy is continuing to highlight the potential of phage as an effective treatment option for antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections. Bacteriophage are defined as viruses that especially target and lyse the bacterial cells, offering an appropriate and traditional approach in controlling multi drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis focuses on evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and safety of bacteriophage treatment by measuring bacterial cell reduction in treating MDR infections. Methodology: An extensive literature search was done using the PubMed / MEDLINE databases, with no time-bound restrictions. The studies focusing on the therapeutic potential of bacteriophage therapy against antimicrobial resistance were included. The quality assessment was done using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animals Investigations (SYRCLE) scale, and the pooled data were analyzed using I2 statistics to examine the potential of bacteriophage therapy. Results: A sum of 16 studies were included in this qualitative synthesis and about 7 studies were analyzed quantitatively. This meta-analysis shows that bacteriophage therapy had significant antibacterial capability against MDR pathogens, leading to a substantial decrease in bacterial load and clinical symptoms. The treatment was also associated with a positive safety profile and minimal side effects. Conclusion: Bacteriophage therapy represents a promising alternative and also as a supplement to antibiotics for the treatment of MDR infections. Although further research is required to make standard protocols and for optimized treatment strategies, phage therapy paves a way for handling the global AMR crisis.