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