Abstract:Phage therapy has the potential for broad application in the treatment of mastitis in dairy cows and the control of drug-resistant bacterial infections because of its precise targeting, efficient lytic activity, self-replicating nature, and excellent biocompatibility. This review summarized the challenges and future prospects in the utilization of phage therapy for bovine mastitis. The review encompassed the isolation and identification of phages targeting major mastitis pathogens (including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and the evaluation of in vivo (animal models and dairy cows) and in vitro (bacteriostatic effects, biofilm clearance, etc.) effectiveness. The findings indicate that specific phages or cocktail preparations are effective in controlling target pathogens. Phage genomic analysis is instrumental in elucidating the cleavage mechanism and evaluating potential virulence/lysogenic genes, thereby ensuring the safety of the treatment. Concurrently, the review delves into the prevailing challenges in this domain, encompassing the limited spectrum of phage hosts, the intricacies of pharmacokinetics and optimization of drug delivery in vivo, substantial-scale manufacturing concerns, and stability considerations. Notwithstanding the numerous challenges, innovative directions, such as phage engineering, phage-antibiotic synergistic application, and new delivery systems (such as nanocarriers), provide important ideas for future development. This review aims to offer theoretical foundations and practical references for further research and application of phage therapy in the prevention and control of bovine mastitis, promoting the translation of this green treatment strategy into clinical practice.
