Revitalized Strategies Against Multi-Resistant Bacteria: Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy and Bacteriophage Therapy

摘要

The formation and spread of infections by multi-resistant bacteria is favoured by the absence of hygienic measuresnto prevent the spread in hospital settings as well as the frequent use of antibiotics. Overall, approximately 20% ofnStaphylococcus aureus isolates in Europe are reported as methicillin resistant and cause serious nosocomial infections.nTherefore, the worldwide rise in antibiotic resistance in clinical practise has led to the search for alternative methods of selectivelyndestroying pathogens without harming the host tissue. One “new” approach to treat microbial infections usesnlight in combination with a photosensitizer to induce a phototoxic reaction by reactive oxygen species similar as in photodynamicntherapy of skin cancer. In particular, different classes of molecules including porphyrins, phthalocyanines,nphenothiazine and fullerenes have demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy against a broad spectrum of multi-resistant bacterianupon irradiation with visible light. Another “new” approach is called bacteriophage therapy, which involves using phagesnor their products as bioactive agents for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of bacterial infectious diseases. Phages werenused topically, orally or systemically and have demonstrated efficacy against Gram (-) bacteria, whereas purified phageencodednagents are also effective against Gram (+) bacteria.nThis review will focus on some aspects of both revitalized antimicrobial strategies that appear to be especially convenientnfor the treatment of infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria in the future.