Lucknow,

17 March (HS): According to Padma awardee Scientist Dr. Ajai Kumar Sonkar, the

rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a major global health crisis,

necessitating alternative therapeutic approaches. Dr. Ajai explains that

bacteriophage therapy, which utilizes viruses that specifically infect and lyse

bacterial cells, presents a promising solution. These naturally occurring

bacterial predators have been extensively studied for their ability to target

and eliminate pathogenic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains.

Scientist

Dr. Ajai Kumar Sonkar further revealed that the River Ganges harbors the widest

range of bacteriophage species, many of which possess the ability to kill

antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogenic bacteria through direct lytic

replication. This unique natural reservoir of bacteriophages provides an untapped

potential for developing novel therapeutic applications. Dr. Ajai Kumar Sonkar

revealed that bacteriophages are highly specific viruses that infect bacterial

cells by binding to surface receptors, injecting their genetic material, and

hijacking the bacterial machinery to replicate. This leads to the lysis of the

bacterial cell, releasing new phages that continue the infection cycle. Because

bacteriophages are host-specific, they selectively target pathogenic bacteria

without harming beneficial microbiota or human cells.

Scientist

Dr. Ajai highlights several advantages of bacteriophage therapy over

antibiotics:

Specificity:

Unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, phages target only specific bacterial

species or strains, reducing the risk of disrupting normal flora.

Efficacy

against MDR Strains: Phages can infect and destroy antibiotic-resistant

bacteria, offering a potential solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial

resistance. Self-Amplification: Once introduced, phages replicate within

bacterial hosts, increasing their numbers at the site of infection.

Minimal

Side Effects: Because they do not affect human cells or non-target bacteria,

phages have fewer adverse effects compared to conventional antibiotics. Dr.

Ajai Kumar Sonkar elaborates on the clinical applications of bacteriophage

therapy, which has shown promise in treating various bacterial infections,

including: Respiratory Infections: Phages have been used to treat

drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in

patients with cystic fibrosis and pneumonia.

Wound

and Skin Infections: Phage therapy has been successfully employed to treat

chronic wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Gastrointestinal

Infections: Phages targeting Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium

difficile have been explored for use in managing gut infections and dysbiosis.

Urinary

Tract Infections (UTIs): MDR E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis infections have

been treated using bacteriophage therapy.

Septicemia

and Osteomyelitis: Phages have been investigated as an adjunct therapy for

systemic infections caused by MDR pathogens.

Scientist

Dr. Ajai acknowledges that despite its potential, bacteriophage therapy faces

several challenges: Regulatory Hurdles: The approval process for phage-based

treatments remains complex due to their biological nature and specificity.

Bacterial

Resistance to Phages: Although bacteria can develop resistance to phages, this

can be countered by using phage cocktails or engineered phages.

Standardization

and Dosing: Determining the appropriate dosage and administration methods

remains a challenge in clinical applications.

Immune

Response: Some patients may develop an immune response against phages,

potentially limiting their efficacy. Dr. Ajai Kumar Sonkar concludes that

bacteriophage therapy represents a promising approach to tackling

antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. He further emphasizes that with

ongoing advancements in phage engineering, personalized phage therapy, and

regulatory frameworks, the future of bacteriophage-based medicine looks

promising. According to Dr. Ajai, further clinical trials and research will be

essential to fully harness their potential as a mainstream therapeutic option

in modern medicine.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi