Bacteriophage Therapy in Dairy Farming: A Potential Alternative to Antibiotics

Year : 2024 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 02 | Page : 1 5
    By

    Swati Sharma,

  1. Technician, Multi-disciplinary Research unit, University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, Delhi, India

Abstract

The widespread use of antibiotics in dairy farming to control bacterial infections has led to significant challenges, including the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and concerns over antibiotic residues in milk. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for alternative approaches to control bacterial infections in dairy cattle. One promising solution is bacteriophage therapy, which uses viruses that selectively infect and destroy bacteria. As a result, the need for new strategies to manage bacterial infections in dairy cattle is rising. Bacteriophage therapy, which involves viruses that specifically target and eliminate bacteria, offers a promising alternative. Bacteriophages, or phages, have a unique mechanism of action that allows them to selectively infect and lyse bacterial cells, making them highly specific to their target bacteria. This targeted approach minimizes the disruption of beneficial microbial communities and reduces the likelihood of developing resistance, unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics. Historically, bacteriophage therapy was overshadowed by the advent of antibiotics, but recent advancements and the rise of antibiotic resistance have renewed interest in this approach. The application of phage therapy in dairy farming has shown success in controlling infections such as mastitis, a prevalent and costly disease in dairy cows caused by pathogenic bacteria. Field trials and case studies demonstrate that phage therapy can effectively reduce bacterial loads, improve animal health, and enhance milk quality. Additionally, phages provide the benefit of being environmentally friendly and suitable for organic farming practices. Despite its potential, bacteriophage therapy faces challenges, including regulatory hurdles, phage resistance, and the need for efficient delivery systems. Advances in phage formulation, the use of phage cocktails, and genetic engineering are being explored to overcome these limitations. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape needs to adapt to accommodate phage therapy, ensuring safety and efficacy standards are met.

Keywords: Dairy Farming, Bacteriophages, Antibiotics, Ethical Considerations, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : Journal of Dairy Science & Technology ]

How to cite this article:
Swati Sharma. Bacteriophage Therapy in Dairy Farming: A Potential Alternative to Antibiotics. Research & Reviews : Journal of Dairy Science & Technology. 2024; 13(02):1-5.
How to cite this URL:
Swati Sharma. Bacteriophage Therapy in Dairy Farming: A Potential Alternative to Antibiotics. Research & Reviews : Journal of Dairy Science & Technology. 2024; 13(02):1-5. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjodst/article=2024/view=167828


References

  1. Kahn LH, Bergeron G, Bourassa MW, De Vegt B, Gill J, Gomes F, Malouin F, Opengart K, Ritter GD, Singer RS, Storrs C. From farm management to bacteriophage therapy: strategies to reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2019 Apr;1441(1):31-9.
  2. Angelopoulou A, Warda AK, Hill C, Ross RP. Non-antibiotic microbial solutions for bovine mastitis–live biotherapeutics, bacteriophage, and phage lysins. Critical reviews in microbiology. 2019 Nov 2;45(5-6):564-80.
  3. Kanwar R, Aslam MA, Zulqurnain H, Qadeer A, Ali S, Nayab S, Mustafa S. Bacteriophages and their endolysin: an alternative therapeutic approach for bovine mastitis. Biology Bulletin Reviews. 2023 Aug;13(4):326-35.
  4. Labrie SJ, Samson JE, Moineau S. Bacteriophage resistance mechanisms. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2010 May;8(5):317-27.S
  5. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “virology”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2017, https://www.britannica.com/science/virology. Accessed 21 July 2024.
  6. Clark JR. Bacteriophage therapy: history and future prospects. Future Virology. 2015 Apr 1;10(4):449-61.
  7. Kahn LH, Bergeron G, Bourassa MW, De Vegt B, Gill J, Gomes F, Malouin F, Opengart K, Ritter GD, Singer RS, Storrs C. From farm management to bacteriophage therapy: strategies to reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2019 Apr;1441(1):31-9.
  8. Gutiérrez D, Fernández L, Rodríguez A, García P. Role of bacteriophages in the implementation of a sustainable dairy chain. Frontiers in microbiology. 2019 Jan 22;10:12.
  9. Golkar Z, Bagasra O, Pace DG. Bacteriophage therapy: a potential solution for the antibiotic resistance crisis. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries. 2014 Feb 13;8(02):129-36.
  10. Loc-Carrillo C, Abedon ST. Pros and cons of phage therapy. Bacteriophage. 2011 Mar 1;1(2):111-4.
  11. Verbeken G, Huys I, Pirnay JP, Jennes S, Chanishvili N, Scheres J, Górski A, De Vos D, Ceulemans C. Taking bacteriophage therapy seriously: a moral argument. BioMed research international. 2014;2014(1):621316.
  12. Verbeken G, De Vos D, Vaneechoutte M, Merabishvili M, Zizi M, Pirnay JP. European regulatory conundrum of phage therapy. Future microbiology. 2007 Oct 1;2(5):485-91.
  13. Plaut RD, Stibitz S. Regulatory considerations for bacteriophage therapy products. Phage Therapy: A Practical Approach. 2019:337-49.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
Issue 02
Received 21/07/2024
Accepted 02/08/2024
Published 20/08/2024
743

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics