[Bacteria-killing viruses, Stalinists and "superbugs"].
In June 2000, the WHO warned that the level of resistance to drugs used to treat common infectious diseases is now reaching a crisis point. If world governments do not control infections better in order to slow down the development of drug resistance, entire populations could be wiped out by superbugs against which there is no efficient treatment. Development of resistance is due to both underuse and overuse of drugs, and strategies have been worked out, to slow down the development of resistance for instance by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The present article deals with an old principle, mainly developed behind the Iron Curtain, which is now attracting renewed attention in the west: the application of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) in the fight against bacteria. According to clinical trials in Eastern Europe, mostly uncontrolled, phages have been used successfully in treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, for instance in suppurative wound infections, gastroenteritis, sepsis, osteomyelitis and pneumonia. These encouraging data are supported by recent findings in well-controlled animal models demonstrating that phages can rescue animals from a variety of fatal infections. The present review discusses possible advantages and limitations of phage treatment in humans.
Olsen
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Institutt for oral biologi Universitetet i Oslo Postboks 1052 Blindern 0316 Oslo. ingaro@odont.uio.no
Handal
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Løkken
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D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014765:Viral Vaccines