Los bacteriófagos como una alternativa en el tratamiento de enfermedades infecciosas bacterianas (fagoterapia)

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria. They have been applicated in: Molecular Biology and Clinical Research mainly for the treatment of bacterial infections (Phage Therapy). Bacteriophages have been used against Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Escherichia and Mycobacterium resistant to antibiotics. There are companies which sale phages for human or animal therapy, as well as sanitizing agents. However, Mexican and American Pharmacopeias do not have yet a specific section for these products, thus bacteriophages are regulated by the biologics monograph. Quantification methods for phages include traditional techniques like dilution in plate or flow cytometry. This review emphasizes the current importance of bacteriophages basically in the clinical area where there are great advantages in its use for the treatment of diseases caused by drug-resistance microorganisms.