Antiinfective therapies other than antibiotics

Abstract

Given the preoccupying increase of antimicrobial resistance, a systematic review of alternative therapeutic options seems necessary for anyone involved in managing infectious diseases. Both polyconal and monoclonal antibodies represent a major alternative to conventional antimicrobials, especially when considering the development of monoclonal antibodies against specific bacterial virulence factors. Modulating the expression of virulence factors by interfering with quorum-sensing systems is another major emerging approach to both acute and chronic infections. Finally, phage therapy and probiotics may also be considered as additional alternatives or adjuncts to antimicrobial therapy. This review presents a brief overview of the recent advances in the fields of non-antibiotic antimicrobial therapy.