Phage Therapy and Antibiotic Resistance

Modern medicine is challenged by antibiotic resistance, prompting research into alternatives like bacteriophages. Phages are viruses that infect bacteria, offering potential for treating resistant infections. Historically overlooked in favor of antibiotics, phages are gaining renewed interest. NIAID is actively involved in phage research, aiming to identify effective phages for therapy.

What is one of the main reasons for the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics?

• Environmental pollution

• Lack of new antibiotics

• Overuse and misuse of antibiotics

• Genetic mutations in humans

What are bacteriophages commonly known as?

• Bacteria

• Phages

• Antibiotics

• Viruses

Which part of the bacteriophage is responsible for attaching to the bacterial cell?

• Head

• Tail fibers

• Sheath

• DNA

What is the potential future use of phages in healthcare?

• Treating viral infections

• Creating vaccines

• Treating stubborn bacterial infections

• Enhancing immune response

What is the first step in the process of using phages to treat an infection?

• Administering phage cocktail

• Isolating and characterizing the bacterium

• Screening phages

• Engineering phages

Where were phages initially popular after their discovery?

• Western Europe

• Eastern Europe

• North America

• Asia

Why did Western countries initially abandon phages in favor of antibiotics?

• Phages were too expensive

• Antibiotics were better understood and easier to produce

• Phages were ineffective

• Antibiotics were more natural

Which organization recently hosted a phage workshop to discuss recent progress?

• UNICEF

• WHO

• NIAID

• CDC

What is the focus of current research on phages?

• Studying viral infections

• Identifying effective phages for therapy

• Understanding bacterial resistance

• Developing new antibiotics

What is NIAID's commitment in the context of phage research?

• Improving public health education

• Reducing healthcare costs

• Outpacing antimicrobial resistance

• Developing vaccines