Bacteriophages: the alternative to antibiotics
Administering viruses to kill bacteria, and in doing so solving or preventing a whole range of problems. It sounds like something straight out of a science fiction film, but it is already applied today, including in our food. These viruses are called bacteriophages.
Ruben Haleydt
What are bacteriophages?
Bacteriophages are viruses that penetrate and attack bacteria. They essentially infect the bacterium. Unlike well-known viruses that make humans ill, bacteriophages have positive effects. They are therefore regarded as an alternative to antibiotics for fighting bacterial infections.
The only difficulty with bacteriophage treatment is that these viruses are host-specific. This means the right bacteriophage must be used to destroy a specific bacterium; there is no single bacteriophage that can combat all bacteria.
How does phage therapy work?
Bacteriophages can be administered in various ways. They are applied to the skin, swallowed, or injected into a vein or other body cavity.
Once the phages are in the body, they infect specific bacteria. The phage inserts its genetic material into the hijacked cell, causing the cell to produce nothing but phages. In the final phase of infection, substances are produced that destroy the bacterium's cell wall. This kills the bacterium and releases the bacteriophages, which then go on to infect new bacteria in turn.
Applications of bacteriophages
Bacteriophages can be used throughout the entire food chain, "from farm to fork". They prevent and reduce disease in livestock, "disinfect" raw food products, can disinfect contact surfaces or tools, and can extend the shelf life of food products.
Through phage therapy, common bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes), which can cause considerable harm to consumers, can be combated.
Is the use of bacteriophages safe?
Applications of bacteriophages are entirely safe. Various studies show that they are harmless to mammalian cells and do not damage the gut flora. Moreover, we ingest phages on a daily basis, for example by consuming yoghurt, sauerkraut, salami, and so on. Phages are also part of our own gut flora, where they likewise provide natural, non-toxic control of bacteria.
