Targeting Resistant Skin Pathogens: Phage Therapy as an Alternative to Antibiotics

Skin and wound infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii present significant therapeutic challenges due to antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. These multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are making common infections increasingly difficult—or even impossible—to treat, posing a serious public health threat. However, phage therapy has emerged as a targeted and biofilm-disrupting alternative to antibiotics. The current study aims to identify lytic phages in combination with topical ointments. In this study, we will begin by isolating multidrug resistant bacterial strains from infected skin samples and screening them with known bacteriophages specific to the identified pathogens. In vitro trials will be conducted to evaluate the lytic efficacy of these phages. Promising results will lead to in vivo trials using formulated topical applications such as ointments or other suitable delivery systems. If initial phage screenings showed low efficacy, our strategy will shift to the identification of new phages, including the application of bioinformatics tools to match phages with specific bacterial targets, followed by re-evaluation in vitro and in vivo. It is expected that the selected encouraging phages with potent lytic activity against MDR bacteria in combination with topical ointments will accelerate wound healing enhancing their potential for clinical application providing a safe, effective, and innovative approach for treating antibiotic-resistant skin infections.