Innovations in Phage Therapy for Urinary Tract Infection.

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections. Increasing rates of multidrug-resistant bacteria are complicating treatment, necessitating alternative strategies. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that only target and kill bacteria, and this specific lytic activity can be harnessed therapeutically. Bioengineering holds innovative potential for the use of phages as diagnostic and therapeutic tools for rapid targeted treatments. However, phage therapy and phage products are not currently approved by regulatory agencies in the Western world and can only be applied under specific regulatory frameworks in individual countries. Further basic and clinical research is essential to address the challenges of phage therapy and to explore its value in combating UTIs. PATIENT SUMMARY: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are becoming more difficult to treat because of antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages are viruses that kill bacteria and have promise for UTI treatment, but more research and regulatory approval are needed before they become more widely available.