Bacteriophages are not currently used openly in most countries. However, there are phage therapy centers found in Georgia and Poland. Same as phage therapy, bacteriophage products are even harder to get as some are only used in phage centers, whilst others are manufactured in Russia and Georgia.
Phage therapy centers
Eliava Phage Therapy Center in Tbilisi, Georgia
The Eliava Phage Therapy Center is part of the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology, and Virology in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is one of the few institutes that is focused on phage therapy and has left its doors open for patients. The phage center has over 600 bacteriophages in their library which allows them to test for sensitivity and the identification of the right phage for every patient. Patients may contact the center directly at +995 322 72 86 86 or by email info@eptc.ge to set an appointment. For those who may be unable to travel to Georgia, the Eliava Phage Therapy Center also offers their expertise via distant treatment.
For those patients that undergo treatment via distance and are located in the USA, please note that treatment can only be performed with a written consent letter from you and your doctor. This is due to the fact that phage therapy is not approved by the FDA.
The Eliava Phage Therapy Center works with bacteriophages against these main pathogens and others:
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Enterococcus
- Coli
- Proteus
- Pseudomonas
Phage therapy can be general as well as specific or individualized. General therapy is one that helps the majority of patients. However, in some cases, the bacteria present in the patient may be resistant to the standard phages, in which case an individualized therapy can be prepared for the patient.
View the full price list of the Eliava Phage Therapy Center here.
Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy in Wroclaw, Poland
The Phage Therapy Unit at the Ludwik Hirszfeld institute is another center that excepts patients, however only works with chronic bacterial infections in the following conditions; skin infections, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, external and internal ear infections, urinary infections, chronic bacterial prostatitis in men, vaginal infections, prosthetic joint infections, wound infections, osteomyelitis, leg ulcers, and sinusitis. Treatments at the Phage Therapy Unit are only done in person. Patients may contact the center directly on +48 71 370 99 01 or by email otf@iitd.pan.wroc.pl to set an appointment.
The Phage Therapy Unit works with bacteriophages against the following pathogens:
- Acinetobacter
- Burkholderia
- Citrobacter
- Enterobacter
- Enterococcus
- Escherichia
- Klebsiella
- Morganella
- Proteus
- Pseudomonas
- Shigella
- Salmonella
- Serratia
- Staphylococcus
- Stenotrophomonas
In order to be admitted for treatment, the Phage Therapy Unit must receive the results of the bacterial culture. The patient must have the presence of at least one of the above bacteria to be considered for treatment. There are exceptions made for patients that have a multidrug-resistant bacterial strain.
View more information about the Ludwig Hirszfeld Phage Therapy Unit here.
Bacteriophage product manufacturers
Eliava BioPreparations, Georgia – Bacteriophages for Human, Veterinary and Environmental use
Eliava BioPreparations is a pharmaceutical company that was founded in 2008 by the Eliava Foundation and is part of the Eliava Consortium. These same phages are used during treatment at the Eliava Phage Therapy Center.
The following are a list of available bacteriophages:
- PYO Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus (S. pyogenes, S. sanguis, S.salivarius and S. agalactiae), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus (P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris).
- Intesti Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Shigella flexneri (serotypes 1,2,3,4, S. sonnei, Shigella newcastle type), Salmonella (paratyphi A, B, S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, S. choleraesuis and S. oranienburg), Escherichia coli, Proteus (P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis), Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis.
- Staphylococcal Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococcus aureus.
- SES Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococci, Streptococci and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli of different serovars.
- FERSISI Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococci and Streptococci.
- ENKO Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococcus, Shigella, Escherichia coli and Salmonella of different serovars.
For more information on dosages and usage of phages click this link.
BioChimPharm, Georgia – Biotechnological company focused on research, development, and commercialization of bacteriophages
BioChimPharm was founded on a scientific and technological basis of the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages. Experience of close to 100 years in researching and manufacturing phages that are provided to the ex-Soviet Union states and Eastern Europe.
The following are a list of available bacteriophages:
- PHAGYO – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus and their combinations.
- Septaphage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Shigella (S. flexneri 1,2,3,4,6 serogroup and S. sonnei), Salmonella (paratyphi A, B, S. typhimurium, S. choleraesuis, S. oranienburg and S. enteritidis), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli etiologically important serogroups of enteral diseases, Proteus (P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis), Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Enterococcus.
- PHAGESTAPH – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococcus aureus.
- PHAGYO spray – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus.
- Septaphage tablets – tablets containing lyophilized dried phagolysates against; Shigella (S. flexneri 1,2,3,4,6 serogroup and S. sonnei) , Salmonella (paratyphi A, B, S. typhimurium, S. choleraesuis, S. oranienburg and S. enteritidis), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli – etiologically important serogroups of enteral diseases, Proteus (P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis), Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Enterococcus.
- Travelphage capsules – capsules containing lyophilized dried phagolysates against; Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Enterococcus. As well as conditions caused by the unity of the mentioned bacteria such as; shigelosis, typhoid, paratyphoid, dysbacteriosis, enterocolitis, acute and chronic colitis, dyspepsia in complex therapy and foodborne infections.
For more information on dosages and usage of phages click this link.
Microgen, Russia – National manufacturer of immunological products in Russia
Microgen is the Scientific and Production Association for Immunological Preparations for the Federal State Unitary Enterprise of the Ministry of Health of Russia.
The following are a list of available bacteriophages:
- E.coli-Proteus bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Escherichia coli and Proteus.
- Streptococcus bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Streptococcus.
- E.coli bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Escherichia coli.
- Complex PYOBacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococci, Streptococci, Proteus, Enterococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.
- Klebsiella purified polyvalent Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages prevention against hospital-acquired infections caused by Klebsiella.
- Sextaphag polyvalent PYOBacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Staphylococci, Streptococci (including Enterococci), Proteus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Escherichia coli.
- Dysentery Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Shigella flexneri of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 serovariants and Shigella sonnei.
- Intesti Bacteriophage – a mix of sterile lysate phages against; Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Enterococci, Staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginoza or a combination thereof.
For more information on dosages and usage of phages click this link.
If you are interested in finding out more about the phage cocktail and product preparation methodology used by ex-Soviet ountries, you can read more about it here.