Using phages against Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections скачать в хорошем качестве

Using phages against Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

In a stride towards combating the rising global threat of Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections, also known as the “flesh-eating disease”, the Leo Foundation has granted 4 million DKK to a new innovative phage therapy project. ‪@leofoundation6941‬ The project aims to pioneer targeted phage therapy to counter the aggressive Group A Streptococcus bacteria responsible for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections. The infections present a dire bacterial menace globally, requiring innovative therapeutic solutions. Despite initial treatments involving prompt surgery and antibiotics, the infections often progress, rendering antibiotics ineffective and leading to severe consequences, including amputation and, in the worst cases, death. The innovative approach of the project involves decoding the genetic makeup of Group A Streptococcus bacteria through sequencing and utilizing machine learning algorithms to predict susceptibility to specific bacteriophages or phages for short. Phages are viruses that selectively target and eliminate bacteria, providing a promising avenue to address antibiotic-resistant strains without harming human cells. The team is led by Professor Thomas Sicheritz-Pontén from Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute and his multidisciplinary team, comprises chief physicians and researchers from three Danish hospitals, the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research Leicester and the University of Copenhagen. The team aim to identify prototype tailored phage therapies. The project will explore the rapid eradication of bacteria, harness bacterial enzymes (endolysins), and employ phage satellites for gene delivery. Phages produce endolysins to break down the bacterial cell wall when they kill the bacterial cell and release the new phages. These endolysins can be used as antimicrobial agents. The collaboration across research hubs will enable the creation of precise phage cocktails, and the development of a novel molecular typing system to predict bacterial susceptibility. If successful, this innovative phage therapy project could revolutionise the treatment of Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection, offering a ray of hope in the battle against these deadly infections. The generous funding underscores the critical need for advancements in the field of infectious disease treatment, supporting the project that holds the potential to save countless lives globally.