Leading the fight against food poisoning
From the University of Nottinham (U.K.) researchers intend to develop bacteriophage-based treatments for the control of Campylobacter. Bacteriophages — the term literally means 'bacterium-eater' — are naturally occurring agents that target and destroy bacteria with a high degree of efficiency, and do so selectively and specifically, without affecting beneficial bacteria or gut cells. The term is commonly used in its shortened form, phage. Campylobacter — the commonest cause of infectious bacterial intestinal disease in England and Wales, according to the U.K. Health Protection Agency. Campylobacters are found in poultry and other animals and cause millions of cases of food poisoning worldwide.