When did the first bacteriophage therapy begin?
Quick Answer
Bacteriophage therapy began in the 1910s, with the first descriptions in 1917. It used viruses that infect bacteria to fight bacterial disease.
The Full Story
In 1917, Félix d'Hérelle described bacteriophages and quickly recognized their potential as treatments for bacterial infections. Phage therapy was explored in the early 20th century before antibiotics became dominant. Interest declined in many countries after penicillin and other antibiotics arrived, but phage therapy has continued in some places and has seen renewed attention because of antibiotic resistance. The idea remains important in modern microbiology and medical research.
Key Facts
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"The viruses that hunt bacteria"
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