Difference between revisions of "Phage therapy"
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the sexually transmitted pathogen that causes Gonorrhea, has progressively developed resistance to the antibiotic drugs used to treat it. Within the past 40 years, this pathogen has developed resistance to 3rd-generation, cephalosporin antibiotics which are ultimately the last line of defense against this bacterial pathogen <ref>http://www.cdc.gov/std/Gonorrhea/arg/default.htm</ref>. Antibiotic resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (ARNG) is therefore a growing public health concern. In the United States, this concern is exacerbated by the fact that primary treatments for gonorrheal infections are solely antibiotic-based. Currently, CDC STD treatment guidelines recommend dual therapy with the injectable cephalosporin ceftriaxone and either azithromycin or doxycycline to treat all uncomplicated gonococcal infections among adults and adolescents in the United States. These treatments have been mostly successful, but given the ability of ARNG to develop antibiotic resistance, it is critical to continuously research and develop new treatment regimens for gonorrhea<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/std/Gonorrhea/arg/basic.htm</ref>. | |||
To meet the needs of a rapidly changing public health field in which traditional antibiotic-based therapies are becoming ineffective, the Gonorrhea Eradication Team and Integration Task-force (GETit) was created. This organization was created to conduct research into bacteriophage associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Bacteriophage are viruses that infect bacterial hosts and can induce lysis upon infection. Ultimately, our goal is to identify and characterize bacteriophage from wild type ARNG and use a composite cocktail of ARNG-associated phage as therapy to treat hosts infected with this pathogen. | |||
: This project is in its early stages. | During our pilot program, we plan to (1) isolate bacteriophage from ARNG (2) characterize bacteriophages from antibiotic-resistant, sexually-transmitted, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and (3) conduct in vitro proof-of-concept experiments in which ARNG-derived phage cocktails are used to lyse cultures of ARNG. | ||
: This project is in its early stages. Our longer-term goals are to: | |||
# Begin a free-Gonorrhea screening program on the streets of Oakland and San Francisco; | # Begin a free-Gonorrhea screening program on the streets of Oakland and San Francisco; | ||
# Enhance the Center for Disease Control's Surveillance of antibiotic-resistant gonorrheal infections; | # Enhance the Center for Disease Control's Surveillance of antibiotic-resistant gonorrheal infections; | ||
# | # Develop assays for the rapid detection of ''N. gonorrhoeae.'' | ||
# Develop methods by which bacteriophages can be cultured and used as prophylaxis and therapy for gonoccocal infections; | # Develop methods by which bacteriophages can be cultured and used as prophylaxis and therapy for gonoccocal infections; | ||
# Develop a space that has the equipment (acquired or built) we need in which we can conduct our research; | # Develop a space that has the equipment (acquired or built) we need in which we can conduct our research; | ||
# Develop a community education program to bring science to underrepresented cultural groups. | |||
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