How can phage therapy combat antimicrobial resistance in the country?
Phage therapy is the therapeutic use of bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections. It offers a precise, natural alternative to antibiotics using viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria (bacteriophages). This allows them to combat bacterial infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant strains, without damaging the beneficial microbiota in the human body.
In Nigeria, where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a growing issue due to the misuse of antibiotics, phage therapy could play a significant role in the One Health approach. This approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health, and addresses AMR in human healthcare, animal farming, and agriculture.
Phage therapy can treat multidrug-resistant infections in humans, such as those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, and reduce the need for antibiotics in veterinary and agricultural practices, ultimately curbing the spread of resistance.
What is the current level of awareness of phage therapy among medical professionals?
Awareness of phage therapy among Nigerian medical professionals is still in its early stages. Traditionally, antibiotics have been the primary focus in medical education and practice, and as a result, there is limited knowledge about alternative treatments such as phage therapy.
However, initiatives such as the Africa Phage Forum are gradually increasing awareness among healthcare professionals. This forum serves as a platform to exchange knowledge, promote collaborations, and advocate for phage therapy as a critical tool in addressing AMR.
While the awareness is growing, further training, research, and local clinical trials are still needed to fully integrate phage therapy into the Nigerian healthcare system.
Are there any existing research studies or clinical trials on phage therapy conducted in Nigeria?
There are no formal clinical trials on phage therapy in Nigeria, but significant research is underway. Various institutions, including Plateau State University, University of Ibadan, and University of Lagos, are exploring the potential of phage therapy. At Plateau State University, we are working on innovative projects, such as developing a phage-based bandage solution for diabetic wound healing and designing a broad-spectrum phage vaccine for Salmonella infections.
We are also planning a study with the University of Waterloo, Canada, to test a phage-based cancer vaccine in mice. Although these efforts are promising, funding remains a major obstacle, limiting the scope and pace of research. Securing financing and developing infrastructure for clinical trials will be crucial for advancing phage therapy in Nigeria.
What are the major health conditions that could benefit from phage therapy?
Phage therapy can potentially address several health conditions, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Infections from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, which are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, could benefit from targeted phage therapy.
Additionally, gastrointestinal infections caused by pathogens like Shigella and Campylobacter, common in Nigeria, could be treated with phages to reduce reliance on antibiotics. Phage therapy also offers solutions for animal and environmental health and addresses issues in livestock, poultry, and crops, where antibiotic resistance is prevalent.
By integrating phage therapy across human, animal, and environmental health systems, we can address AMR more comprehensively and ensure better public health outcomes.
What are the primary challenges of introducing phage therapy into the healthcare system?
First, healthcare professionals who are more familiar with traditional antibiotics lack awareness and knowledge. To overcome this, there is a need to engage in education, training, and research. Second, the absence of a regulatory framework for phage therapy presents a significant hurdle.
Developing proper regulations to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of phage treatments is essential. Third, there is a need for substantial funding to support phage research and clinical trials as financial constraints limit many promising projects.
Lastly, technical and infrastructure challenges must be addressed, such as the lack of specialised laboratories and equipment to isolate and purify phages. These challenges can be overcome with strategic investments and collaborations, enabling the successful integration of phage therapy into Nigeria’s healthcare system.
How feasible is it to produce bacteriophages locally in Nigeria? Do we have the infrastructure?
Producing bacteriophages locally is feasible, but it requires significant investments in infrastructure and expertise. For human therapeutic use, phage production must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), essential for ensuring quality and safety. Setting up GMP-compliant facilities would require substantial financial resources and technical know-how.
However, phage production for agricultural and veterinary applications is less regulated and can be a more immediate opportunity. These sectors provide a promising starting point for local phage production to combat bacterial infections in livestock, poultry, and crops. At the Centre for Phage Biology and Therapeutics, we are actively working to build the necessary infrastructure to support both veterinary and human applications of phage therapy. Collaboration with universities, research institutes, and the private sector will be the key to scaling production and meeting local demand.
How affordable would phage therapy be for the average Nigerian compared to conventional antibiotics?
While the cost of phage therapy is currently uncertain, there are reasons to believe that it could become a more affordable alternative to conventional antibiotics in the long term. Initially, phage therapy may be more expensive due to research, development, and infrastructure costs.
However, once local production is established, the cost could decrease significantly. Phages offer the advantage of targeted treatment, which could reduce the need for expensive broad-spectrum antibiotics and shorten hospital stays, ultimately lowering healthcare costs.
Additionally, local production of phages, particularly for agricultural and veterinary applications, could reduce reliance on imported antibiotics and make phage therapy more accessible to the average Nigerian. While more research and infrastructure development are needed, phage therapy holds promise as a cost-effective solution to combat AMR in Nigeria.
What are the prospects of phage therapy replacing or complementing antibiotics in Nigeria?
The prospects of phage therapy replacing or complementing antibiotics in Nigeria are promising but will likely be gradual. Initially, phage therapy is more likely to complement antibiotics than fully replace them.
Phages can work synergistically with antibiotics, helping to combat antibiotic-resistant strains and reduce the reliance on broad-spectrum drugs. In the future, phages could become a key component of the therapeutic arsenal, particularly for treating multidrug-resistant infections.
However, challenges such as the lack of regulatory frameworks, the need for clinical trial data, and infrastructure development must be addressed before phage therapy can become widely available. With ongoing research and increased awareness, phage therapy has the potential to play a major role in Nigeria’s healthcare system, complementing antibiotics and offering a solution to the growing AMR crisis. Phage therapy holds significant promise for addressing the AMR crisis in Nigeria.
