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Publication
A terapia fágica como alternativa ou complemento à terapia antibiótica no combate das bactérias resistentes aos antibióticos
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Abstract(s)
Introdução: Atualmente, a resistência bacteriana aos antibióticos representa um dos maiores desafios globais em saúde pública. O uso inadequado e excessivo destes fármacos, associado à escassez de novas alternativas terapêuticas, tem agravado a situação. Perante este cenário, torna-se imperativa a criação de novas estratégias antibacterianas para combater infeções causadas por bactérias multirresistentes. Uma das abordagens mais promissoras é a terapia fágica, que utiliza bacteriófagos (vírus que infetam bactérias, replicam-se no seu interior e levam à sua destruição) para tratar infeções bacterianas. Embora descoberta há quase um século, a terapia fágica foi negligenciada na maioria dos países devido ao sucesso dos antibióticos. Contudo, com o aumento preocupante da resistência bacteriana, o interesse científico nos fagos tem ressurgido. Adicionalmente, inovações tecnológicas, como a engenharia genética para otimizar a eficácia dos fagos, têm impulsionado esta área de investigação.
Objetivos: Explorar as potencialidades da terapia fágica como alternativa ou complemento à terapia antibiótica no combate a bactérias resistentes; aprofundar as suas aplicações clínicas, bem como os desafios na produção, implementação e regulamentação.
Métodos: Esta revisão narrativa foi feita com recurso a uma pesquisa bibliográfica em várias bases de dados, nomeadamente no PUBMED, Scopus, Web Of Science, entre outras. Foram considerados maioritariamente artigos publicados entre 2010 e 2024.
Conclusão: A terapia fágica surge como alternativa promissora aos antibióticos, particularmente contra infeções por bactérias multirresistentes. Apesar dos avanços da engenharia genética que ampliam o seu potencial, persistem desafios na produção, regulamentação e aplicação clínica dos fagos. Esta abordagem inovadora exige investimento contínuo e rigor científico para assegurar uma implementação segura e eficaz no combate à resistência antimicrobiana.
Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is currently one of the biggest global public health challenges. The inappropriate and excessive use of these drugs, coupled with the scarcity of new therapeutic alternatives, has exacerbated the situation. Against this backdrop, it is imperative to create new antibacterial strategies to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. One of the most promising approaches is phage therapy, which uses bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria, replicate inside them and lead to their destruction) to treat bacterial infections. Although discovered almost a century ago, phage therapy has been neglected in most countries due to the success of antibiotics. However, with the worrying increase in bacterial resistance, scientific interest in phages has resurfaced. In addition, technological innovations, such as genetic engineering to optimize phage efficacy, have boosted this area of research. Objectives: Explore the potential of phage therapy as an alternative or complement to antibiotic therapy in the fight against resistant bacteria; delve into its clinical applications, as well as the challenges in production, implementation and regulation. Methods: This narrative review was carried out using a bibliographic search in various databases, including PUBMED, Scopus and Web of Science, among others. Most articles published between 2010 and 2024 were considered. Conclusion: Phage therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to antibiotics, particularly against infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Despite advances in genetic engineering that expand its potential, challenges remain in the production, regulation and clinical application of phages. This innovative approach requires continuous investment and scientific rigor to ensure safe and effective implementation in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is currently one of the biggest global public health challenges. The inappropriate and excessive use of these drugs, coupled with the scarcity of new therapeutic alternatives, has exacerbated the situation. Against this backdrop, it is imperative to create new antibacterial strategies to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. One of the most promising approaches is phage therapy, which uses bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria, replicate inside them and lead to their destruction) to treat bacterial infections. Although discovered almost a century ago, phage therapy has been neglected in most countries due to the success of antibiotics. However, with the worrying increase in bacterial resistance, scientific interest in phages has resurfaced. In addition, technological innovations, such as genetic engineering to optimize phage efficacy, have boosted this area of research. Objectives: Explore the potential of phage therapy as an alternative or complement to antibiotic therapy in the fight against resistant bacteria; delve into its clinical applications, as well as the challenges in production, implementation and regulation. Methods: This narrative review was carried out using a bibliographic search in various databases, including PUBMED, Scopus and Web of Science, among others. Most articles published between 2010 and 2024 were considered. Conclusion: Phage therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to antibiotics, particularly against infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Despite advances in genetic engineering that expand its potential, challenges remain in the production, regulation and clinical application of phages. This innovative approach requires continuous investment and scientific rigor to ensure safe and effective implementation in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Description
Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz
Keywords
Bacteriófagos Infeções bacterianas Resistência antibiótica Terapia fágica