Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Viromes, bacteriophages
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Viruses have had a significant impact on human history, causing deadly outbreaks of diseases.
- However, not all viruses are harmful, and scientists are discovering the importance of the virome (bacteriophages).
Do you know?Viromes and bacteriophages are closely related because bacteriophages, or phages for short, are a type of virus that specifically infects bacteria. Bacteriophages are considered part of the virome, as they contribute to the overall viral genetic material present in a given environment or organism. |
What are Virome?
- What is it: They are the collection of viruses in our bodies contributing to our health, similar to the bacterial microbiome.
- Bacteriophages: The majority of viruses inside us are bacteriophages, which kill bacteria in our microbiomes without affecting human cells.
- Vast in Numbers: Our bodies host around 380 trillion virus particles, 10x more than the number of bacteria.
- Beneficial Viruses: Some viruses play beneficial roles, such as killing cancer cells, aiding immune system training, fighting pathogens, and regulating gene expression during pregnancy.
Bacteriophages and Phage Therapy
- Bacteriophages’ Mechanism: Bacteriophages hunt down bacteria, attach to their surface, inject viral DNA, and replicate inside the bacteria before causing the bacterial cell to burst and release new viral particles.
- Historical Background: In the early 20th century, scientists explored phages as potential treatments for bacterial infections, but antibiotic development overshadowed this research.
- Antibiotic Resistance: With the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, scientists are revisiting phage therapy as an alternative to combat bacterial infections.
- Advantages of Phages: Phages effectively target multi-resistant pathogens, are precise in eliminating bacterial strains, and do not disrupt the gut microbiome like antibiotics do.
Phage Therapy in Practice
- Historical Use: Phage therapy persisted in countries like Georgia, Ukraine, and Russia, where antibiotics were scarce. These regions have witnessed successful treatment outcomes against antibiotic-resistant infections.
- Expanding Use: Phage therapy is gaining attention in countries like Belgium, the US, and Germany, with specialized therapy centres and calls for increased exploration and utilization.
- Challenges and Safety: Standardization of therapy and tailoring phages to specific bacteria causing the infection remain challenges. However, phage therapies have a good safety record, and human bodies can tolerate them well.
Future Prospects
- Complementary Approach: Phages are unlikely to replace antibiotics but could be used in combination to enhance antibiotic effectiveness, particularly against resistant bacterial strains.
- Research and Clinical Projects: Further large-scale research and clinical projects are recommended to establish effective phage therapies for different types of infections.
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