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Phage Therapy ( alternative of antibiotics) for MAC lung infection
Does anyone try Phage therapy for MAC lung infection?
Currently only a few country like Belgium, Georgia and Poland are applying this for infectious disease like UTI and lung infection.
Phage therapy is a promising afresh therapy, which uses viruses to lyse bacteria responsible for the infection. Bacteriophages have been recently administered under compassionate use to a 15-year-old patient infected with M. abscessus in combination with antibiotics with excellent results.Jan 18, 2021.
I will upload more info for people interested in it. As it has no side effects, it may be a promising way to help MAC patients.
Anyone is welcomed to add any comments or input. Thank you.
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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
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I am very interested in Phage therapy. There is a trial going on in US. If I find the link about it I will post. I know they use it for Pseudomonas. With chronic Pseudo, Phage therapy can knock it back much like antibiotics (but not usually clear it).
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3 ReactionsYes please! Post anything you have. I am quaking in my boots knowing my doctor will be pushing me towards the big 3 very soon. Here’s an article from the economist on Phage Therapy but not a lot on the How’s and the When’s. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/05/03/how-to-battle-superbugs-with-viruses-that-eat-them
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5 ReactionsPhage therapy is not an approved treatment in the US at this time, although there have been exceptions made with formal appeal to the FDA. Having said that, I am aware of a couple of cases treated at University of CA/San Diego for abscessus. As I understand, no phages have been found yet for any other NTM although phage libraries are constantly growing. I hope to get treatment one day for my MAC!
I have many links to send but they were blocked by this site. once I am no longer considered a new member, I will try again to put them on here.
In the meantime....
A fantastic book about a real-life phage search and eventual cure is The Perfect Predator by Steffanie Strathdee.
Let's all talk to our doctors and friends about phages to encourage more support for research!
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9 ReactionsHi MiniMary, you are right. Actually I found there is a clinical trial for people who do not respond to antibiotics. Pls see below. Yes let's hope for awareness of more MAC patient of phage therapy!!!
Consider joining MACrO2, a MAC clinical research study (MAC clinical trial). MACrO2 is for people with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease that has not responded to prescribed antibiotic medications.
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2 ReactionsWelcome to Mayo Connect. I can hardly wait to see the links when you are able to post them! Do you like to do research? I am always looking for others who are "research nerds" like me who can bring us the latest and best information on current studies and tests - both in the US and abroad.
Sue
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3 ReactionsI do love to research! And I have been fascinated by phages since hearing about them many years ago. Not only will it be great for those of us with NTM disease, but all sorts of infections inside and out of the body could be eradicated with the right phage.
Do you have NTM, Sue?
Best wishes, Mary
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3 ReactionsGood morning,
Here is some research I did during this weekend. It looks like UZ leuven at Belgium is taking international patients for below conditions. Anyone interested in inquiring more information from them? They are taking international patients with a doctor's referral. I am talking to my family doctor for the referral this week.
Uz leuven
Who is eligible?
The following strictly defined infection disease qualify for bacteriophage therapy:
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Pulmonary infections: bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis
Musculoskeletal infections
Sepsis (blood poisoning)
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2 ReactionsMary, I have bronchiectasis, had pseudomonas and NTM. I was treated for almost 2 years, but the NTM cultures were never negative. I stopped the 3 antibiotics in December 2019 and have relied on airway clearance with saline ever since. So far, I am maintaining and the bronchiectasis is "stable".
Are you being treated for NTM?
Sue
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2 ReactionsHi Sue, if your antibiotics treatment does not work for you, maybe the trial info I posted can be a reference to you . Its name is macro2study. Plus Pseudomonas can be treated by Phage therapy too. You can find the successful story in San Diego hospital.
All the best,
Yes please—I am interested