Processing Phage Therapy Requests in a Brussels Military Hospital: Lessons Identified

Viruses. 2019 Mar 17;11(3):265. doi: 10.3390/v11030265.

Abstract

There is a growing interest in phage therapy as a complementary tool against antimicrobial resistant infections. Since 2007, phages have been used sporadically to treat bacterial infections in well-defined cases in the Queen Astrid military hospital (QAMH) in Brussels, Belgium. In the last two years, external requests for phage therapy have increased significantly. From April 2013 to April 2018, 260 phage therapy requests were addressed to the QAMH. Of these 260 requests, only 15 patients received phage therapy. In this paper, we analyze the phage therapy requests and outcomes in order to improve upon the overall capacity for phage therapy at the QAMH.

Keywords: Belgium; Brussels; Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus; antibiotic resistance; bacteriophages; phage therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Infections / therapy*
  • Belgium
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Hospitals, Military*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Patient Preference*
  • Phage Therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents