Conventional Treatment of Burn Wound Infections versus Phage Therapy

Abstract

Wound infections are the primary cause of sepsis in burn wound patients and increase burn-related morbidity and mortality. Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria induce infections in burn wounds. Conventional antimicrobial therapy is recognized as the most successful therapeutic intervention to combat infections of burn wounds. Unfortunately, antimicrobial resistance could be catastrophic and lead to treatment failure. Burn wound infections need topical treatment. Phages as an alternative for antibiotics can be used as a monotherapy for infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens or can be applied in combination with antibiotic therapy. Phages are species-specific bacterial natural viruses. Worldwide, many phage-producing companies are emerging. However, not many countries implement phage therapy in their patient management. Clinical trials are needed to convince the health care system in those countries that do not have confidence in phage therapy in infectious diseases. This study reviewed several aspects of phage therapy in burn wound patients.