Beyond antibacterials – exploring bacteriophages as antivirulence agents

Life-threatening infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. There is growing interest in exploiting bacteriophages (or phages) combat bacterial infections. Phages often target surface structures that may also be important for virulence. Upon phage challenge, these molecules lost or modified, resulting resistance and possibly phenotypical conversion. Importantly, possible trade-offs include lower fitness, increased sensitivity antibiotics immune defense mechanisms, virulence attenuation. Although evolution of phage-resistance prevent, the trade-off phenomenon carries potential antibacterial therapy. Here we present some insights into molecular principles significance this coincidental interplay between phages, bacteria, cells, discuss prospect developing phage-derived products as antivirulence agents.