Potential duel-use of bacteriophage related technologies in bioterrorism and biodefense.

Abstract

Bacteriophages are one of the simplest life forms on earth. They are natural killers of bacteria and exist in very large numbers in almost all natural habitats. With the ever-increasing threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, bacteriophages have regained the attention of biomedical scientists, but few reports have considered the use of bacteriophages in bioterrorism. This review describes the potential for bacteriophages to be used as bioterrorism agents or tools, as well as in counter-measures against bioterrorism.