Bacteriophage trigger antiviral immunity and prevent clearance of bacterial infection.

A summary is presented of an article published online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aat9691 on pathogenic roles that bacteriophage virions play in bacterial infections. It states that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) and the filamentous bacteriophage Pf produced by Pa was studied to determine the impact Pf played in Pa wound infections in animal models and humans. It considers the possible therapeutic benefits of vaccination against bacteriophage virions to reduce virulence.