“Phages have huge potential in both preventing and treating sepsis, when caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus spp.—all common culprits in bloodstream infections. Given their specificity, phages can selectively target and destroy these bacteria without affecting beneficial microbiota, which is a big advantage over broad-spectrum antibiotics. There is also some early evidence suggesting phages could play a role in modulating the immune response, potentially helping to control the inflammatory cascade that makes sepsis so deadly” explains Luis Rocha, Director of Market Access and Public Affairs at Lxbio, PhageEU corporate member from Portugal.

While phage technoloy is still in development, there have already been successful compassionate use cases where phages cleared MDR bloodstream infections, when nothing else worked, and clinical trials are now exploring IV phage therapy for sepsis.

In order to fight sepsis we need new treatment strategies. A push for more clinical research, improved regulatory frameworks supporting phage development, and biobanking infrastructure would help bringing phages closer to mainstream sepsis care.