In the early 20th century, the French Canadian microbiologist Flix dHrelle used a virus called a bacteriophage (phage) to successfully treat some diseases caused by

In the early 20th century, the French Canadian microbiologist Félix d’Hérelle used a virus called a bacteriophage (“phage”) to successfully treat some diseases caused by bacteria, such as dysentery and cholera. Subsequent experiments with “phage therapy” yielded mixed results; however, and enthusiasm quickly waned—especially once antibiotics became available in the 1940s. The therapy is not currently approved in the United States.

 

Phage therapy involves obtaining a pure culture of a disease-causing bacterium and exposing samples of the culture to different phages to see which ones kill the bacterium. The successful phage is then administered to a patient. For skin infections, the phage is applied directly to the infected area. For systemic diseases, the phage may be given orally or delivered intravenously.

 

Imagine you are part of a hospital medical team conveyed to treat Jerry, a 71-year-old diabetic patient, who has been suffering from a persistent infection on his foot. His doctor has tried multiple topical antibiotics, but the infection continues to worsen, so the doctor admitted him to your hospital for a new intravenous antibiotic treatment. To Jerry’s relief, the infection cleared up; however, two weeks later, the infection returned—worse than ever. Jerry’s doctor explains that the bacterium causing the infection is a multidrug resistant strain and that Jerry’s foot will need to be amputated.

 

Jerry’s sister, a nurse, mentions that she studied bacteriophages and asks the doctor whether phage therapy is a treatment option.

 

As a member of Jerry’s medical team, answer these questions:

 

•  How would you respond to Jerry’s sister?

 

•  Which type of phage would be used for phage therapy: a lytic or a lysogenic phage?

 

•  What are the drawbacks of phage therapy? What are the advantages?