title: Evolutionary Rationale for Phages as Complements of Antibiotics.
abstract: Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are a major concern to public health. Phage therapy has been proposed as a promising alternative to antibiotics, but an increasing number of studies suggest that both of these antimicrobial agents in combination are more effective in controlling pathogenic bacteria than either alone. We advocate the use of phages in combination with antibiotics and present the evolutionary basis for our claim. In addition, we identify compelling challenges for the realistic application of phage-antibiotic combined therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, Université Montpellier, Place E Bataillon 34095, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: clara.torres@univ-montp2.fr.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torres-Barceló
authors.affiliation: Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, Université Montpellier, Place E Bataillon 34095, Montpellier, France; Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA. Electronic address: mhochber@univ-montp2.fr.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hochberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000628:therapy; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D000071059:Phage Therapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: antibiotic resistance; combined therapies; evolution; phage therapy