Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has become increasingly common across the globe, claiming
more than 33,000 lives annually in Europe and 35,000 lives in the United States alone.
The problem lies in trying to find potential solutions capable of tackling resistance
and being able to fight infections that may resist various antimicrobials. Since Alexander
Fleming's discovery in 1928, every antimicrobial synthesized in the past 70 years
has developed at least one or more strains of resistant bacteria. One particular alternative
to antimicrobials has brought hope to many in the scientific community: the bacteriophage.
Bacteriophages are viruses that can replicate within bacteria, triggering genetic
alterations and changes in pathways of protein expression by encoding a few to hundreds
of genes within their genomes. The bacteriophage can hijack the cell, using the cell's
genetic apparatus to replicate within the bacterium until bacterial lysis occurs.
This therapy has been used in the genodermatosis Netherton syndrome, which has been
associated with the increased risk of Staphylococcus aureus infections. Emerging data support the potential role of bacteriophage therapy for
Cutibacterium acnes in acne vulgaris, with a potential role in genetic disorders with severe acne vulgaris,
including Apert syndrome. Bacteriophages hold benefits for genodermatoses associated
with recurrent cutaneous infections, that is, the immunodeficiencies with distinctive
cutaneous features as well as conditions such as atopic dermatitis, in which bacterial
colonization plays a strong role.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 14, 2022
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