Exploring Phage Therapy as an Alternative to Antibiotics in Treating Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections

Abstract: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have become an escalating global health crisis, significantly limiting the effectiveness of antibiotics. With rising resistance rates, the need for alternative treatment strategies is more critical than ever. Phage therapy, which utilizes bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria—has emerged as a promising alternative. Phages offer a highly specific mechanism of action and can be used synergistically with antibiotics to improve treatment efficacy. Advances in phage engineering, delivery methods, and their combination with antibiotics enhance their therapeutic potential, particularly against MDR pathogens. However, challenges such as phage resistance, regulatory barriers, and delivery efficiency remain. This review explores the mechanisms of phage action, clinical applications in MDR infections, and the future directions in phage therapy research.