Phage therapy in combating antimicrobial resistance: a one health approach

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major global health concern of the 21st century, threatening the effective treatment of infectious diseases in both humans and animals. The extensive and often indiscriminate use of antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary practice and agriculture has accelerated the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, leading to increased morbidity, mortality and economic losses worldwide. The declining efficacy of conventional antibiotics has created an urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies that are effective, safe, and sustainable. Among the promising alternatives, bacteriophage therapy has re-emerged as a potential biological approach to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. Bacteriophages or Phages are viruses that specifically infect and lyse bacterial cells, offering advantages such as high host specificity, self-replication at the site of infection and the ability to disrupt bacterial biofilms. Phage therapy has demonstrated potential in managing bacterial infections in human and veterinary medicine including mastitis, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal diseases and wound infections. Additionally, phage therapy has demonstrated potential in controlling bacterial contamination in food processing environments and enhancing biosecurity in animal farming systems. Despite its potential, challenges such as regulatory limitations, limited host range and standardization issues remain. Continued research and policy support are essential to facilitate the safe and effective integration of phage therapy into antimicrobial resistance management strategies.