104 / 2024-10-26 14:02:08

Enhanced Bacteriophage Targeting: Phage Protein Interaction with N. gonorrhoeae

The rise of antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae poses a serious public health challenge, with the World Health Organization reporting over 80 million new gonorrhea cases worldwide in 2020. Current treatment options are becoming increasingly ineffective due to decreased susceptibility and resistance to standard antibiotics. This study aims to explore phage therapy as a promising alternative treatment. While only lytic bacteriophages targeting commensal strains such as N. subflava and N. perflava have been identified for Neisseria species, our research endeavors to fill this gap by investigating the interaction of lytic phages specifically against N. gonorrhoeae. We aim to enhance the efficacy of these phages through targeted protein mutations. Our objectives include identifying suitable lytic phages, improving their specificity, and developing an effective phage-based therapeutic strategy. Using methodologies such as data mining, molecular docking, and dynamic simulations, we anticipate the development of bacteriophage proteins that effectively inhibit N. gonorrhoeae and broaden their host range to include resistant strains. By reducing reliance on traditional antibiotics, this research contributes to One Health initiatives, which promote better health outcomes across human, animal, and environmental sectors. We advocate for the adoption of phage therapy, highlighting its sustainability, lower likelihood of resistance development, and resource efficiency. This work advances our understanding of phage applications in combating antibiotic resistance and establishes a foundation for future research into broad-spectrum phage development against resistant bacteria.