Traditional methods of treating infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria include the use of antibacterial drugs. It is well known that taking these drugs causes many side effects ( allergies , dysbiosis, etc.), as well as the emergence of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics.
Fagoterapiya - a fairly new and promising method of treating bacterial infections, based on the introduction into the body of special microorganisms - bacteriophages. This technology of treatment is gaining increasing popularity, effectively combating various infections and allowing to avoid negative reactions.
What are bacteriophages?
Bacteriophages, or phages (from ancient Greek - "bacteria eaters"), are viruses that can infect bacteria cells. These microorganisms were discovered at the beginning of the last century, and already at that time scientists came to the conclusion that phages can become an important means of combating dangerous infections. It was thanks to them that they began to treat such serious diseases as bubonic plague and tuberculosis. In the 40-ies of the XX century, when antibiotics were discovered, the phages sank into oblivion. But today, the interest of scientists is returning to them.
Phages are the most numerous and widespread group of viruses that live almost everywhere - wherever bacteria live (in air, water, soil, plants, objects, inside the human body and animals, etc.). These microorganisms, like all viruses, are absolute intracellular parasites, and bacteria act as their "victims".
How does bacteriophage work?
Bacteriophages are natural limiters of the population of pathogenic microorganisms. Their number directly depends on the number of bacteria, and with a decrease in the population of phage bacteria also becomes smaller, because they have nowhere to breed. Thus, phages do not exterminate, but limit the number of bacteria.
Getting inside the bacterium, the bacteriophage begins to multiply in it, using its structural components and destroying the cells. As a result, new phage particles are formed, ready to hit the following bacterial cells. Bacteriophages act selectively-each species only needs a certain type of bacterium, to which it will "hunt", falling into the human body.
Preparations based on bacteriophages
Bacteriophages are used as an alternative to taking antibiotics . Medicines on their basis are released in the form of solutions, suppositories, ointments, tablets and aerosols, used inside and outside. These drugs are able to quickly penetrate into the blood and lymph, and are excreted through the kidneys.
Preparations of bacteriophages cause the death of a certain type of bacteria, while not affecting the normal flora and remaining resistant to the action of antibiotics. The effectiveness of these agents against pathogens of purulent-septic diseases is about 75 - 90%, which is quite a high indicator.
What diseases are treated with phages?
To date, developed drugs that affect the most common types of infections. In addition to the therapeutic goal, they are also used for the prevention of certain diseases, and also prescribed in conjunction with other types of drugs. So, bacteriophages help to cure such diseases:
- bacterial dysentery;
- diseases of the urogenital area;
- diseases of ENT organs;
- lung diseases;
- infection of the genitourinary sphere;
- purulent wounds;
- gastrointestinal diseases.
Before the appointment of drugs based on phages, tests are conducted for the sensitivity of the causative agent of the infection.
Advantages of phages before antibiotics:
- destroy bacteria that are not sensitive to antibiotics;
- do not cause addiction and side effects;
- can be administered to children and pregnant women;
- combined with all medicines;
- have a beneficial effect on immunity.