In recent years, the problem of aggressive antibacterial therapy has taken a leading position in the main problems of treating chronic bacterial diseases in children. At the same time, the problem of antibiotic resistance of the most common bacteria, which causes first acute and then chronic diseases of the ENT organs in children, is not far behind.
Antibiotic resistance (AR) is one of the most serious threats to human health in the world. This is a phenomenon where bacteria develop the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics, making many infections difficult or even impossible to treat. The problem of antibiotic resistance is multifaceted and requires a comprehensive approach to its solution.
One of the methods of solving the problem of AR is the use of bacteriophage contact drugs, either independently or in conjunction with the main treatment. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. They were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century and since then have become the object of numerous studies due to their potential in the fight against bacterial infections.
Unfortunately, bacteriophages are not widely used in the treatment of acute and chronic bacterial infections in children and adults, but in recent years the demand and interest in the use of bacteriophages has increased significantly. And the pace of development of medicine gives great hope for the global spread and introduction of bacteriophages into protocols for the treatment of acute and chronic bacterial infections in children.
The field of application of bacteriophages is extremely wide:
Skin and soft tissue infections
Research in Georgia
Context: In Georgia, where phage therapy has historically been actively used, a study was conducted on the effectiveness of bacteriophages in the treatment of staphylococcal skin infections in children.
Methods: The trial included children who had skin infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Patients were divided into two groups: one received bacteriophages, the other received traditional antibiotics.
Results:
- Phage treatment: In 85% of patients who received phages, complete wound healing was observed within 7-10 days.
- Antibiotic treatment: Only 50% of patients in the antibiotic treatment group had similar results.
Side effects: No serious side effects were recorded in the phage therapy group.
Conclusions: Phagotherapy proved to be a more effective and safer alternative to traditional methods of treating skin infections in children (Coherent Insights).
Respiratory tract infections
Research in Poland
Context: A study was conducted in Poland among children with chronic respiratory tract infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Methodology: Children received bacteriophages by inhalation for 14 days. The control group received standard therapy.
Results:
- Phage treatment: In 90% of children, a significant improvement in condition, reduction of inflammation and improvement of lung function was observed.
- Control group: Only 40% of children in the control group showed a similar improvement.
Side effects: Side effects were minimal and insignificant.
Conclusions: Inhaled phage therapy is an effective treatment for chronic respiratory tract infections in children, especially for antibiotic resistance (SkyQuest Tech Consulting) (Coherent Insights).
Infections of the gastrointestinal tract
Research in India
Background: In India, a study was conducted on the use of bacteriophages in the treatment of gastroenteritis in children caused by pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli.
Methods: Children received oral bacteriophages for 48 hours. The control group received traditional antibiotics.
Results:
- Phage treatment: In 75% of children, symptoms disappeared within 48 hours.
- Control group: In the control group, this figure was 50%.
Side effects: No side effects were recorded.
Conclusions: Oral phage therapy is an effective and safe method of treating bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract in children (Future Insights).
General conclusion
Studies confirm the effectiveness and safety of bacteriophages in the treatment of various bacterial infections in children. This is especially true when infections are resistant to traditional antibiotics. Further clinical trials will help expand the use of phage therapy and incorporate it into standard protocols for the treatment of pediatric infections.
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