Harnessing Bacteriophages to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Africa: A Comprehensive Review

• Published in: Antibiotics (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 9; p. 795
• Main Authors: Fabiyi, Kafayath, Sintondji, Kevin, Agbankpe, Jerrold, Assogba, Phenix, Koudokpon, Hornel, Lègba, Boris, Gbotche, Elodie, Baba-Moussa, Lamine, Dougnon, Victorien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.09.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Animal husbandry; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial infections; bacteriophage therapy; Care and treatment; clinical applications of phages; Dosage and administration; Drug resistance; Drug resistance in microorganisms; E coli; Evaluation; Health care; Impact resistance; Infections; Infectious diseases; Literature reviews; Multidrug resistance; multidrug-resistant pathogens; Pathogens; Patient outcomes; Patients; phage characterization; Phage therapy; Phages; R&D; Research & development; Review; Therapy; Veterinary medicine; Africa; West Africa; Egypt; South Africa; Uganda; Ghana; Nigeria; Kenya; Tunisia; Ethiopia; clinical applications of phages; phage characterization; bacteriophage therapy; multidrug-resistant pathogens
• ISSN: 2079-6382; 2079-6382
• DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13090795

The conventional treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics is becoming increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. This literature review explores the potential of bacteriophages as an alternative or adjunctive therapy to antibiotics in combating MDR infections in Africa. This analysis focuses on current research regarding the integration of phage therapy into African healthcare, highlighting its challenges and opportunities. This review begins with the AMR crisis and the need for new treatments, then covers the history, mechanisms, benefits, and limitations of phage therapy. Key African studies are summarized, identifying major obstacles such as regulatory issues, infrastructure, and research standardization. Research efforts in West Africa that have made notable progress in bacteriophage research are highlighted. This review concludes with recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to enhance the development and use of phage therapy in Africa, aiming to reduce antibiotic resistance and improve patient outcomes. By addressing the identified challenges and leveraging the unique advantages of phages, there is potential to significantly mitigate the impact of antibiotic resistance and improve patient outcomes in Africa.