2023-10-22 06:00:02
The increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) raises major public health concerns. Antibiotics, although necessary, have a downside: they make bacteria more resistant. Should we then consider other options?
An antibiotic treatment known as doxycycline post-exposure (doxy-PEP) is currently being considered to prevent STIs. Yet some experts, including Mikael Skurnik of the University of Helsinki, are concerned about its impact on antibiotic resistance. An alternative could be bacteriophages, viruses that kill bacteria. These agents could one day reduce our dependence on antibiotics for prevention. set of measures to take to avoid…) and treatment of STIs. However, their use remains hypothetical for the moment.
Phages offer several advantages. They can kill resistant and non-resistant bacteria. Additionally, they do not put pressure on bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics. Phages are also less likely to disrupt the microbiome, the microbial community living within us, unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics like doxycycline.
Clinical applications for phage therapy are currently very limited, but if clinical trials confirm their safety and effectiveness, they could provide a strong alternative to antibiotics.
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