Phage-based detection of bacterial pathogens

Abstract

Bacterial pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality annually to both humans and animals. With the spread of drug resistance and the diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics, there is a pressing need for effective diagnostics for detection of bacterial pathogens. Bacteriophages offer several unique opportunities for bacterial detection. This review highlights the means by which bacteriophages have been utilized to achieve and facilitate specific bacterial detection.