Unraveling the Significance of Phage-Derived Enzymes for treating Secondary Bacterial Infections among COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

The COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease of 2019) pandemic had a profound impact on humanity, affecting over 200 million people. Among the complications associated with viral respiratory infections in COVID-19 patients, secondary bacterial infections (SBIs) pose a significant threat to the prognosis of COVID-19 patients, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates. This crisis is exacerbated by the growing antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, which limits our available treatment options. Recently, the use of phage and phage-derived enzymes (PDEs) has emerged as a promising alternative strategy to combat bacterial infections as they possess a natural ability to eliminate bacteria effectively. The primary objective of this chapter is to emphasize the prevalence of SBIs and the significance of PDEs in addressing SBIs among COVID-19 patients. Specifically, phage-derived depolymerases and endolysins showed considerable antivirulence potency and effectively break down the bacterial cell wall. These enzymes have emerged as a promising class of new antibiotics, with their therapeutic efficacy already confirmed in animal models. By exploring this novel approach, we may discover new avenues to improve patient outcomes and combat the challenges posed by bacterial infections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.