Bacteriophages and the Microbiome in Dermatology: The Role of the Phageome and a Potential Therapeutic Strategy

Abstract

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are viruses that selectively target and infect bacteria. In addition to bacterial dysbiosis, dermatologic conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis are characterized by a relative reduction in the abundance of phages and the overgrowth of the corresponding bacteria. Phages often exhibit high specificity for their targeted bacteria, making phage-replacement therapy a promising therapeutic strategy for the control of pathogenic bacteria in dermatologic disease. Novel therapeutic strategies regulating pathogenic bacteria are especially necessary in light of growing antibiotic resistance. In this review, we aimed to review the medical literature assessing phage dysbiosis and therapeutic trials in dermatology. Ultimately, studies have depicted promising results for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis but are limited by low sample sizes and the omission of control groups in some trials. Additional work is necessary to validate the efficacy depicted in proof-of-concept trials and to further determine optimal treatment vehicles, administration mechanisms, and dosing schedules. This review provides the necessary framework for the assessment of phage efficacy in future trials.