Advances in Mycobacteriophages for Mycobacterial Infections: From Biology to Application

Mycobacterial infections, especially Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, are a significant public health concern with global implications. Antibiotic resistance of mycobacteria poses challenges for treatment. The constraint highlights the significance of investigating mycobacteriophages — natural predators capable of identifying and lysing these pathogens within their host range. This review focuses on elucidating the biological characteristics of mycobacteriophages, with particular emphasis on their evolutionary interactions with mycobacteria. Furthermore, it also explores how mycobacteriophages can be applied for treatment compared with current methods, indicating promising avenues for further investigations. Leveraging of mycobacteriophages holds the potential to overcome existing obstacles in the treatment of mycobacterial infections.