Phage Therapy: A New Frontier Against Antibiotic-resistant S. Aureus Infections

Researchers have discovered that bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, can effectively treat antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In a mid-stage trial, patients treated with phage cocktails exhibited significantly better outcomes than those receiving only antibiotics, signaling a potential shift in infection treatment paradigms.

In a groundbreaking mid-stage trial, researchers have demonstrated that bacteriophages, viruses capable of infecting and killing bacteria, offer a promising solution for treating antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The study found that patients who received a phage 'cocktail' along with antibiotics had a higher success rate than those given antibiotics alone.

By day 12 of the trial, the response rate was 88% in the phage-treated group compared to 58% in the placebo group. The findings were presented at IDWeek 2025 in Atlanta, highlighting a potential paradigm shift in addressing difficult-to-treat infections.

Dr. Loren Miller of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center underscored the importance of phage-based therapeutics, suggesting they could become a new standard of care for antibiotic-resistant infections. The success adds to a growing body of evidence that phage therapy might be an effective strategy against bacterial infections that no longer respond to conventional antibiotics.

(With inputs from agencies.)