title: Bacteriophage for Mitigation of Multiple Drug Resistant Biofilm Forming Pathogens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microbial communities encased in exopolymeric substances (EPS) attached to suitable substrate as biofilms show heightened resistance to multiple drugs including antibiotics. One promising control strategy in dealing with the ever mounting problem of antibiotic resistance amongst biofilm forming bacterial pathogens is the use of biological agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review focuses on the development of bacteriophages as means of disrupting biofilm forming pathogens and hence mitigation of multiple drug resistant organisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bacteriophages are obligatory viral intracellular parasites that can cause lytic infection of their bacterial hosts. Bacteriophage (Phage) therapy is advantageous in being highly host specific, safe and non-toxic to humans and hence environmental friendly. Bacteriophage induced lysis of cells within the biofilm is aided by the production of penetrating enzymes such as endolysins and EPS depolymerases as well quorum sensing inhibitors such as lactonases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phages are a promising alternative therapy for the control of multiple drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. Several phage (indigenous and engineered)/ phage products are currently being patented and developed as commercial biological control agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biosciences & Biotechnology, CSJM University, Kanpur 208016, UP, India. shilpakaistha@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shilpa Deshpande
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kaistha
authors.forename: Pramila Devi
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Umrao
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000187:drug effects*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D010330:Patents as Topic; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents