In this Part 2 of the Alloutcoach podcast episode focused on phage therapy to fight infections and antimicrobial resistance, I spoke to the Chief Physician at the globally leading center of excellence of an alternative, effective treatment approach to antibiotics, Dr. Dea Nizharadze at the Eliava Phage Therapy Center (EPTC) based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She explains the basic principles of phage treatments, its unique qualities, advantages and real-world clinical examples of methods and types of patients and infections this personalized therapy specifically targets.

0:00 Episode Introduction

1:42 Why the Republic of Georgia is a global leader in phage therapy

2:39 How phage therapy works in bacterial infections?Eliava Phage Therapy Center (EPTC) was founded in 1923 by Professor George Eliava who had collaborated with Felix D'Herelle, who had discovered phages, and while most other countries turned to antibiotics only, it is the only institution in the world that has continued to research bacteriophages without a pause of even one day since its inception and therefore collected the greatest research and real-world clinical experience with phages.

5:34 How do phages work to eradicate or stop further growth of bacteria?

Phages are biological "weapons" against bacteria, namely viruses that target specific microbes only, without destroying the "good" bacteria or microbiota. They are naturally occurring substances and have no safety concerns. In some patients with antimicrobial resistance phage therapy enables improvement in sensitivity.

10:42 Synergistic effect of phage combination therapy with antibiotics

11:58 Phage Therapy Doisng and Success Factors

15:14 Length of phage treatmentIn chronic infections phage therapy may divided into 3 stages and last 15-20 days, and varies by nature and severity of disease. Patient treatment includes days off therapy, or holidays, however, bacterial analysis is continued and patient condition is monitored throughout the entire course of treatment. Success of therapy is indicated when bacterial titers and virulence decrease or bacteria are eradicated. Patient's objective and subjective signs and symptoms often vary throughout response to therapy. 16:42 Phage Product Variability and Market Availability

How do we ensure educating patients to access the correct, most appropriate therapy for their infections

17:35 Multi-disciplinary personalized team care and telemedicine

19:53 Steps for patients outside of Georgia to access phage therapy via telemedicine?

24:04 Affordability and access to phage treatments

25:23 How to contact Eliava Phage Therapy Center