In medical practice, it is customary to combat pathogenic microflora with the help of antibacterial agents that destroy not only harmful, but also beneficial microorganisms. Not all doctors remember safer drugs - bacteriophages. One of the representatives of this line is bacteriophage if. Let us consider in more detail what a tool is, its mechanism of action, indications for use and reviews.
Bacteriophages - what is it?
Pathogenic bacteria can suffer from viruses in the same way as humans from SARS or influenza. These viruses are bacteriophages - a non-cellular form of life, consisting of a protein coat and nucleic acid (RNA and DNA). Unlike antibiotics, bacteriophages destroy only a certain type of bacteria. Therefore, they are prescribed only after determining the type of causative agent of the disease.
A significant advantage is that bacteria do not develop resistance to bacteriophages. This, by the way, is considered the main reason why interest in bacterial viruses has revived recently. However, it should be borne in mind that modern medicine classifies bacteriophages as immunobiological medicines.
Description of the bacteriophage coli
The liquid solution in the form of which the medicine can be purchased consists of a filtrate of the phagolysate of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains.
The drug has a specific effect and causes lysis (destruction) of bacterial cells Escherichia coli. Nucleic acid enters the bacterial genome and begins to reproduce itself. The phages with which the cell overflows, tear it inside and move on to the next "victim". Therefore, even with a small number of bacteriophages, it is possible to achieve a positive result of therapy.
Bacteriophage if released by the domestic pharmaceutical company NPO Microgen. The solution can be purchased in bottles of 20 ml or 100 ml. Chinosol is used as an additional substance in the composition.
Indications for use
Antibacterial drugs are usually prescribed without first giving crops to determine the type of pathogen, hoping for a wide range of drug effects. It is absolutely impossible to use bacteriophage for the treatment under the same conditions. Escherichia coli is the main type of pathogenic bacteria that the medicine can affect. Therefore, the medicine should be used only for infectious diseases caused by this agent.
Prescribe a drug for the prevention and treatment of the following ailments:
- pathology of ENT organs of bacterial origin (otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, sinusitis);
- diseases of the respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia, laryngitis, tracheitis);
- damage to the intestinal bacterium of the digestive tract (dysbiosis, cholecystitis, gastroenterocolitis);
- inflammatory processes of the skin and surgical infections (burns, bursitis, suppuration of wounds, paraproctitis, mastitis, abscess);
- urinary tract infections (pyelonephritis in acute and chronic form, cystitis, urethritis);
- diseases of the genital area (endometritis, colpitis, salpingo-oophoritis).
For the prevention of infectious infection, the bacteriophage coli solution is recommended for use in the treatment of skin after surgery. Before using the drug, it is important to determine the phage sensitivity of the pathogenic pathogen.
Instructions for use
The liquid agent can be used for oral, topical, rectal administration. Also, the solution is suitable for drainage of cavities, irrigation and applications. In some cases, the medicine should be used both inside and for local treatment of purulent-inflammatory areas. Unlike antibiotics, bacteriophage therapy lasts from 7 to 20 days.
Oral administration of the solution is indicated for cystitis, pyelonephritis and urethritis. When draining the bladder or renal pelvis, the drug is administered through a drainage tube. Inside, it is indicated to take 20-30 ml of the solution for patients over 8 years old. In the bladder cavity, you can enter no more than 30 ml, and in the pelvis - 6-7 ml of solution per day.
It is possible to treat diseases of ENT organs with a bacteriophage if washing, instilling and rinsing. The medicine is especially effective when turundum soaked in solution is injected into the nasal or ear cavity.
If bacteriophage with dysbiosis and other pathologies of the digestive tract should be taken orally 20-30 ml three times a day, at least an hour before meals. The duration of such therapy is 3 weeks.
Gynecological ailments of an infectious nature are treated by introducing a solution into the vagina or uterus. For one dose, 5-10 ml of solution is required. With colpitis, plugging should be done twice a day.
After emptying the abscess cavity, the drug is administered in a smaller amount than the volume of pus removed. The bacteriophage is also poured into the wound of 10-20 ml with osteomyelitis after appropriate treatment of the wound.
Pediatric Use
An effective tool will also be in the treatment of small patients. Bacteriophage coli should be used for dysbiosis, enterocolitis caused by infection with Escherichia coli. The solution is suitable for the treatment of even premature babies. Most often, the medicine is used in the form of high enemas, introducing the solution through a gas outlet tube or catheter. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day, using for each dose no more than 10 ml of liquid.
Oral administration is possible only if the baby does not suffer from frequent spitting up. The solution is mixed with a small amount of breast milk. The duration of therapy is 5-15 days. If necessary, bacteriophages are combined with other medicines during treatment. Bacterial viruses can slightly enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs and increase the sensitivity of pathogens.
special instructions
It should be borne in mind that the bottle with the drug after opening is not subject to long-term storage. Before each use, it should be shaken and not the sediment content should be evaluated. In the presence of the latter, the drug is prohibited.
Opening a new bottle is necessary according to certain rules:
- Before manipulation, you need to wash your hands thoroughly;
- the protective cover on the vial is treated with an alcohol-containing solution;
- remove the cap without touching the cork;
- if the cork is accidentally removed, it must not be placed on the table with the inside;
- Do not leave the container open;
- Store medicine only in the refrigerator.
Liquid should be taken with a sterile syringe through the plug. A new syringe must be used for each procedure. Do not leave the needle in the cork.
Analogs
It is possible to act on E. coli with the help of another bacteriophage. The coli-protein bacteriophage contains several types of protea (mirabilis, vulgaris) and colic Escherichia. The drug is available in the form of a liquid solution, packaged in bottles of 20 and 100 ml, as well as in the form of tablets.
You can use the medication for various diseases, the causative agent of which is the bacteria listed above. Tablets are not used to treat babies up to 1 year old. The dosage of the drug is determined depending on the diagnosis and age of the patient.
Bacteriophage coli: reviews
Despite the fact that bacteriophages are rarely used in the treatment of certain infectious processes, you should not discount this type of medication and give preference to antibiotics. According to patient reviews, bacteriophages can even cope with chronic inflammatory diseases of bacterial origin. If necessary, they can be prescribed in combination with antibacterial agents to enhance the action of the latter.