Treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria remains one of the most challenging problems in modern medicine. This is especially challenging when bacteria form biofilms on medical implants. In such cases, even the most modern antibiotics are often unable to completely eradicate the pathogen, and the only option is often a complex repeat operation.

In 2026, a clinical case of a patient with a severe infection of a vascular graft and mediastinum caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was published in the journal Nature Communications . The infection was resistant to standard treatment, and the bacterium proved resistant to many antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, it formed a biofilm on the graft surface, further complicating treatment.

To help the patient, doctors used a personalized approach. First, they tested various bacteriophages in the lab and selected those that were most effective against this particular bacterial strain. Then, they combined these individually selected bacteriophages with antibiotics, whose compatibility with the phages had also been pre-tested. This approach ensured maximum therapeutic effect.

Following treatment, the patient's condition gradually improved. Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) showed a reduction in inflammation around the vascular graft, and no recurrent episodes of bacteremia were observed during a year of follow-up. The authors emphasize that this success was achieved through a comprehensive approach: individualized selection of bacteriophages, optimization of antibiotic therapy, and careful treatment monitoring.

Although this is only a single clinical case, it demonstrates the significant potential of personalized phage therapy for treating severe infections associated with biofilms and multidrug-resistant bacteria. The scientists note that large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this approach. At the same time, this study provides further evidence that bacteriophages can be an important complement to antibiotics in the fight against complex bacterial infections.