In the early 20th century, the French Canadian microbiologist Flix dHrelle used a virus called a bacteriophage

In the early 20th century, the French Canadian microbiologist Félix d’Hérelle used a virus called a bacteriophage (“phage”) to successfully treat some diseases caused by bacteria, such as dysentery and cholera. Subsequent experiments with “phage therapy” yielded mixed results; however, and enthusiasm quickly waned—especially once antibiotics became available in the 1940s. The therapy is not currently approved in the United States.

 

Phage therapy involves obtaining a pure culture of a disease-causing bacterium and exposing samples of the culture to different phages to see which ones kill the bacterium. The successful phage is then administered to a patient. For skin infections, the phage is applied directly to the infected area. For systemic diseases, the phage may be given orally or delivered intravenously.

 

Imagine you are part of a hospital medical team conveyed to treat Jerry, a 71-year-old diabetic patient, who has been suffering from a persistent infection on his foot. His doctor has tried multiple topical antibiotics, but the infection continues to worsen, so the doctor admitted him to your hospital for a new intravenous antibiotic treatment. To Jerry’s relief, the infection cleared up; however, two weeks later, the infection returned—worse than ever. Jerry’s doctor explains that the bacterium causing the infection is a multidrug resistant strain and that Jerry’s foot will need to be amputated.

 

Jerry’s sister, a nurse, mentions that she studied bacteriophages and asks the doctor whether phage therapy is a treatment option.

 

As a member of Jerry’s medical team, answer these questions:

 

•  How would you respond to Jerry’s sister?

 

•  Which type of phage would be used for phage therapy: a lytic or a lysogenic phage?

 

•  What are the drawbacks of phage therapy? What are the advantages?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Response to jerrys sister The response of the medical team to Jerrys sister would be that bacteriologic therapy is in the experimental study phase in the USA and would need emergency FDA approval for ... View the full answer