RESUMEN
Bacteriophages (phages for short) are bacteria-specific viruses that have been drawing attention when it comes to countering the ever-growing antibiotic bacterial resistance, and are being seen as one of the most promising technologies against multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Although bacteriophages are commonly regarded only as anti-bacterial objects unable to directly interact with eukaryotic cell metabolism, an increasing quantity of evidence has indicated that bacteriophages can directly affect cells bacteria in both in vitro and in vivo applications, influencing the behavior of tissues and immune systems. In sight of this new range of applications, several authors have expressed enthusiasm in phage therapy as direct modulators of eukaryotic cells for clinical usage, highlighting the need for further investigations covering the pharmacology of these new "eukaryotic-viruses", as even harmful interactions with eukaryotic cells were detected after phage therapy. The present review aims to cover and highlight mechanisms through which bacteriophages may interact with immune cells, analyzing potential clinical applications and obstacles presented in the use of bacteriophages as anti-inflammatory tools.
RESUMEN
We report the use of bacteriophages for control of Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry production. Phage was isolated by the double-agar plate assay from agricultural waste samples, and one isolate, named SM1, was selected and propagated for application in poultry litter. Two experimental protocols were tested: single treatment and repeated treatment (re-application of phage SM1 after 6 h and 12 h). Each treatment cycle involved 25 g of poultry litter placed in plastic boxes and contaminated with 105 Colony Forming Units mL-1 (CFU mL-1) of S. Enteritidis, in independent duplicates. The contaminated litter was treated with 106 Plaque Forming Units mL-1 (PFU mL-1) of SM1 phage by dripping. Repeated application of phage SM1 reduced Salmonella counts by over 99.9%; the phage persisted in poultry litter for over 35 days. This study illustrates the application of SM1 treatment as a promising technology for bacterial control in production matrices that could allow safe and sustainable use of agricultural waste products as biofertilizers.
