Phages – a natural way to tackle antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to become immune to antibiotics, rendering them powerless to treat a sick person. Antibiotic resistance causes 25,000 deaths each year in Europe, 35,000 in the United States, and up to 700,000 worldwide. According to the British government, if the problem continues to worsen, it will cause the death of 10 million people annually, with a global economic loss of over 100 trillion US dollars.

The overuse and irrational use of antibiotics are the main causes of resistance. Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics when we use them at the wrong time, or if we use them at the right time, but do not complete course.

The main way in which the human body becomes resistant to antibiotics is through the use of antibiotics in animal farms, especially in meat production. 80% of antibiotics are used in animal farms as a cheap way to maintain hygiene and increase animal weight. Antibiotics are also used to fertilize crops. As people absorb antibiotics through their food, bacteria become resistant.

Phages – the natural “enemy” of bacteria

In 1917, in India, Felix Derell, a Canadian scientist of French descent, began to observe and analyze the origin of pure white circles in the famous River Ganges. At that time, River Ganges was also known as a “magic” river. After months of investigation, he came to the conclusion that certain clean areas developed invisible germs that feed on bacteria; he named these organisms “bacteriophages” – a name derived from Ancient Greek, meaning bacterium eaters.

What are bacteriophages?

Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are the most common microorganisms on earth. They can be found on the ground, in water, on our skin, and inside our bodies. One drop of sea water contains millions of phages, while the human body contains billions of them. Phages destroy specific bacteria, but nothing else. They do not have the ability to harm human, animal or plant cells, what makes them far safer than antibiotics. To use a military analogy, antibiotics are like weapons of mass While bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, they cannot protect themselves against phages.

How do phages fight bacteria?

Phages eat bacteria. Phages finds bacterial cells, attaches themselves to the wall, and release their own genetic information into the bacteria. After multiplication, the phages kill the bacteria and continue to kill the other bacteria until the infection is over.

Phagyo®

Phagyo medicine is produced by BioChimPharm (Phage Factory). It is a leading phage treatment in the world of phage therapy, acknowledged in Georgia and throughout the world.

Phagyo^®  is used for the treatment and prevention of the following bacterial purulent-inflammatory infections:

• Bacterial infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract (inflammation of the sinuses, otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleuritis)
• Gastroenterology (enterocolitis, cholecystitis, dysbiosis – Irritable bowel disease (IBS))
• Urology (urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis)

Due to its unique and natural characteristics, Phagyo® can be used by adults and children from birth, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The drug has no side effects, does not contain flavorings and dyes, and is not derived from genetically modified organisms. As a result, Phagyo has a very high level of safety.

One 20 ml vial of the medicine contains at least 10 million specially selected phages, ensuring its quality and effectiveness.