Traditionally, the treatment of chronic infections has relied on antibiotics. However, with the development of antibiotic resistance and the side effects of traditional drugs, bacteriophages—natural viruses that selectively attack bacteria—are attracting increasing attention. But can they treat chronic diseases as effectively as acute infections?

How do bacteriophages work in the presence of chronic infections?

Unlike antibiotics, which kill a broad spectrum of bacteria, phages are highly specific. They recognize only specific bacterial strains and, once they enter the body, parasitize the pathogen's cells, replicating within them and causing the destruction of the bacteria.

In chronic diseases such as bronchitis, sinusitis, osteomyelitis, or urinary tract infections, bacteria often form biofilms. This protective layer makes them resistant to antibiotics. However, some bacteriophages are capable of destroying these biofilms, paving the way for the destruction of even deeply hidden infections.

Furthermore, it is important that bacteriophages replicate within bacterial cells, allowing for a continuous replenishment of active viruses at the site of infection as long as target pathogens are present.

Do bacteriophages help in the treatment of specific chronic diseases?

Over the past decade, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of phage therapy in the treatment of chronic diseases. For example, the successful use of bacteriophages has been demonstrated in the treatment of chronic wound infections, particularly in patients with diabetes. While trophic ulcers are known to be extremely resistant to antibiotics, phage therapy has shown encouraging results.

There is also evidence of the use of bacterial viruses in the treatment of chronic urinary tract infections. In some cases where antibiotics were ineffective due to multidrug-resistant bacteria, phage therapy helped achieve remission without relapse.

Another example is the treatment of chronic sinusitis. Biofilms in the sinuses make traditional treatments ineffective, but bacteriophages can destroy them, eliminating symptoms and promoting faster recovery.

Thus, phage therapy has great potential for treating chronic bacterial diseases. However, its effectiveness depends on the correct selection of phage strains and the duration of therapy.

Limitations and challenges in the use of bacteriophages against chronic diseases

While the prospects for using these beneficial viruses are promising, there are certain limitations. First and foremost is the narrow specificity of phages. For therapy to be successful, it is necessary to accurately identify the bacterial pathogen and select a suitable phage. This requires specialized laboratory testing.

Furthermore, bacteria may develop resistance to bacteriophages. However, such resistance typically develops more slowly than resistance to antibiotics and can be overcome using phage cocktails—mixtures of several phages targeting different targets.

Another problem is the lack of standardization of phage therapy. Most countries do not yet have clear regulations for the production and use of bacteriophages. Therefore, treatment is often carried out using individual protocols.

So, do bacteriophages treat chronic diseases? Yes, they have great potential. Phage therapy can be a lifesaver in cases where traditional treatments are ineffective or cause severe side effects. However, success depends on accurate diagnostics, individualized phage selection, and careful monitoring of therapy. In the future, as technology advances, we can expect even more opportunities for using bacteriophages in the fight against chronic bacterial infections.