Viruses that infect only bacteria are called bacteriophages, or phages for short. Phages are the most
Some phages only infect bacteriathe surface of which contains cylindrical structures - pili. They allow bacteria to pass resistance genes to each other and increase their ability to attack cells. Scientists wondered how to inactivate these functions, and in a new study they infected Escherichia coli with MS2 phage.
It turned out that those infected with MS2 intestinalsticks are not able to restore damaged saws. A similar phenomenon may be widespread among other phage strains that are used to infect bacteria, scientists are sure. The research results will be useful in the treatment of patients.
First, the use of phages to reduceThe virulence of the bacteria can give the immune system time to fight the infection. Secondly, there may be a new way to fight bacterial infections - more gentle for patients than antibiotics or phage therapy.
One of the advantages of our method compared toTraditional phage therapy is that you don't kill the cell, you simply disarm it. Killing a cell can cause problems. The fact is that there may be a toxin inside the cell, which after its death will enter the host’s body.
Lanying Zeng, Ph.D.
Phages targeting the piluses can also enhancethe action of antibiotics. Some bacterial infections only respond to high doses of antibiotics, which can cause side effects. Adding phages to the mixture may allow doctors to reduce the dosage required.
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