Phages: who are they?
Phages: who are they?
Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are viruses, but not those that cause disease in humans and animals. On the contrary, they are able to protect against infections due to the fact that they infect and destroy only bacteria.
Phages surround us everywhere. They live in soil, water, in the body of animals and humans. In total, there are about 10³¹ of them on our planet — more than there are stars in the sky!
"Bacteria eaters" are one of the possible alternatives to antibiotics in medicine and veterinary medicine.
These viruses can be used to protect against bacterial infections and regulate the microbiome in human and veterinary medicine. RPC "Micromir" promotes this environmentally friendly approach. We study the multifaceted and interesting world of bacteria and phages, creating products to protect the health of people and animals.
Interesting facts about phages
They work where antibiotics cannot cope
The mechanism of action of bacteriophages is different from antibiotics, so they are able to destroy even multidrug-resistant microorganisms.
01
They act with precision
Each phage attacks bacteria of one species or even only certain strains. Due to this, phage therapy does not disrupt, but, on the contrary, maintains a normal microbiome.
02
Do not harm humans and animals
When used in veterinary medicine and agriculture, phages do not infect animal cells and do not affect their bodies. They do not persist in meat, milk, eggs and other products.
03
Suitable for prevention
Unlike the prophylactic use of antibiotics, which exacerbate the problem of antibiotic resistance, the use of phages is harmless.
04
They dwell everywhere
Wherever bacteria live, there are phages. These viruses are not just predators, but natural regulators of microbial communities. In human and veterinary medicine, they can be used to regulate the microbiome.
05
Helping scientists
Bacteriophages have helped to make many important discoveries in biology. For example, it was with their help that we learned that DNA is responsible for heredity. And they are also used in genetic engineering as vectors.
06
History of bacteriophages
Bacteriophages were discovered much earlier than antibiotics – in 1915 by the English biologist Frederick Twort and again in 1917 by the French microbiologist Félix d'Hérelle.
Literally from the moment of discovery, phages began to be actively used to fight infections. But in 1928, penicillin was discovered, the era of antibiotics began, and phage therapy was forgotten in the West. It continued to be used and developed only in the USSR.
Why is interest in them growing again now?
Now doctors and veterinarians have remembered phages again, because the problem of antibiotic resistance is growing. In many ways, it is associated with the uncontrolled use of drugs. In 2014, 8,927 tonnes of antibiotics were used in Europe to treat animals and 3,821 tonnes to treat humans. Phages can be a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.
Bacteriophages in action
The virus attaches to the bacterium by using a particular compound on the surface of the cell as a phage receptor.
Attachment (adsorption)
A bacteriophage introduces its genetic material (RNA or DNA) into the cell.
Penetration
The virus hijacks the genetic apparatus of the cell and forces it to synthesize its genetic material and proteins.
Reproduction (replication)
New full-fledged viral particles are synthesized from proteins and genetic material.
Maturation
Phage enzymes destroy the bacterial envelope, and new viruses come out. The number of offspring can be measured in tens and hundreds.
Destruction of bacteria (lysis)
The offspring of the virus are ready to infect new bacteria. Phage preparations are unique agents that themselves increase their dosage in the focus of infection.
The cycle repeats itself
In medicine and veterinary medicine, only virulent phages are used, which are able to reproduce exclusively in the lytic life cycle.
The logical conclusion of this cycle is the destruction of the bacterium. It consists of six main stages:
Bacteriophages in action
The virus attaches to the bacterium by using a particular compound on the surface of the cell as a phage receptor.
Attachment (adsorption)
A bacteriophage introduces its genetic material (RNA or DNA) into the cell.
Penetration
The virus hijacks the genetic apparatus of the cell and forces it to synthesize its genetic material and proteins.
Reproduction (replication)
New full-fledged viral particles are synthesized from proteins and genetic material.
Maturation
Phage enzymes destroy the bacterial envelope, and new viruses come out. The number of offspring can be measured in tens and hundreds.
Destruction of bacteria (lysis)
The offspring of the virus are ready to infect new bacteria. Phage preparations are unique agents that themselves increase their dosage in the focus of infection.
The cycle repeats itself
Phage applications
In science
For research and genetic engineering
In medicine
To fight bacterial infections and regulate the microbiome
In veterinary medicine and agriculture
For the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections
In the food industry
For the treatment of raw materials and products, the prevention of bacterial contamination
Frequently Asked Questions About Phages
The very nature of phages is such that they are able to infect only bacteria. Bacteriophages do not pose a danger to human and animal cells at all. Unlike antibiotics, they are not preserved in meat, milk, eggs and other animal products. The use of phage preparations in agriculture does not impose restrictions on the subsequent sale of products.
Phages can be selected against any pathogenic microorganism, including those with antibiotic resistance and multidrug resistance.
Very selective. Bacteriophages affect only bacteria of a certain species or only certain strains within a species. If we compare a narrow-spectrum antibiotic and a broad-spectrum phage, the bacteriophage will still be more selective. This is a big advantage: with the help of phage therapy, you can destroy dangerous microorganisms and maintain a normal microbiome. At the same time, such selectivity often requires a more personalized approach.
Yes, they can, and this happens regularly in nature. An "arms race" has been going on between phages and bacteria for many millions of years. But this problem is easier to solve than with resistance to antibacterial drugs. It is increasingly difficult to create new antibiotics, and new effective phages can be found in nature or even artificially bred in the laboratory. In addition, the use of a combination of several phage strains against each bacterium minimizes the risk of resistance.
It is possible, and unlike the prophylactic use of antibiotics, this does not threaten any consequences.
Yes, this approach is often practiced. Synergy is often observed between bacteriophages and antibacterial drugs: they reinforce each other through different mechanisms.
The very nature of phages is such that they are able to infect only bacteria. Bacteriophages do not pose a danger to human and animal cells at all. Unlike antibiotics, they are not preserved in meat, milk, eggs and other animal products. The use of phage preparations in agriculture does not impose restrictions on the subsequent sale of products.
Phages can be selected against any pathogenic microorganism, including those with antibiotic resistance and multidrug resistance.
Very selective. Bacteriophages affect only bacteria of a certain species or only certain strains within a species. If we compare a narrow-spectrum antibiotic and a broad-spectrum phage, the bacteriophage will still be more selective. This is a big advantage: with the help of phage therapy, you can destroy dangerous microorganisms and maintain a normal microbiome. At the same time, such selectivity often requires a more personalized approach.
Yes, they can, and this happens regularly in nature. An "arms race" has been going on between phages and bacteria for many millions of years. But this problem is easier to solve than with resistance to antibacterial drugs. It is increasingly difficult to create new antibiotics, and new effective phages can be found in nature or even artificially bred in the laboratory. In addition, the use of a combination of several phage strains against each bacterium minimizes the risk of resistance.
It is possible, and unlike the prophylactic use of antibiotics, this does not threaten any consequences.
Yes, this approach is often practiced. Synergy is often observed between bacteriophages and antibacterial drugs: they reinforce each other through different mechanisms.
Laura M. O'Connell, Aidan Coffey and Jim M. O'Mahony. Alternatives to antibiotics in veterinary medicine: considerations for the management of Johne's disease.
Letarov A. V. History of Early Studies of Bacteriophages and the Birth of the Basic Concepts of Virology. Biochemistry, 2020, vol: 85, number: 9.
Caneschi A, Bardhi A, Barbarossa A, Zaghini A. The Use of Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance in Veterinary Medicine, a Complex Phenomenon: A Narrative Review. Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Mar 1;12(3):487.
Zimin Andrey Antonovich, Osepchuk Denis Vasil'evich, Skoblikov Nikolay Eduardovich Application of bacteriophages in agricultural poultry and the importance of studying the natural dynamics of microbiome // 2017. №1.
Clokie MR, Millard AD, Letarov AV, Heaphy S. Phages in nature. Bacteriophage. 2011 Jan;1(1):31-45.
Loponte R, Pagnini U, Iovane G, Pisanelli G. Phage Therapy in Veterinary Medicine. Antibiotics (Basel). 2021 Apr 11;10(4):421.
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Генеральный Директор: Зурабов Георгий Александрович
Расчётный счёт
Филиал «Центральный» Банка ВТБ (ПАО) в г. Москве
Р/c: 40702810400000154785
К/c: 30101810145250000411
БИК: 044525411
ИНН: 7702649180
КПП: 770201001