Volume 13, Issue 3 (9-2025)                   JoMMID 2025, 13(3): 206-215 | Back to browse issues page

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Komijani M, Rahi Handhal I, Jalali A, Goodarzi M, Abnosi M H, Mahmoodi M et al . Unlocking the Potential of Bacteriophage Endolysins: A Promising Alternative for Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Poultry. JoMMID 2025; 13 (3) :206-215
URL: http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-805-en.html
Unlocking the Potential of Bacteriophage Endolysins: A Promising Alternative for Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Poultry
Majid Komijani * , Israa Rahi Handhal , Amir Jalali , Mohammad Goodarzi , Mohammad Hussein Abnosi , Monireh Mahmoodi , Parto Ghavidel
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran
Abstract:   (93 Views)
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, exploiting their cellular machinery for replication. They employ a lytic system to disrupt the bacterial cell wall. Towards the end of the lytic cycle, phage proteins known as holins form pores in the cytoplasmic membrane, allowing endolysins to enter the peptidoglycan and hydrolyze it, resulting in bacterial lysis. Endolysins possess modular structures, with enzymatically active domains and cell wall binding domains enabling specific recognition and breakdown of peptidoglycan bonds in bacteria, particularly Gram-positive species. Endolysins have evolved over millions of years, exhibiting high efficiency in bacterial lysis. In the context of the poultry industry, antibiotics play a crucial role in disease control and growth promotion, but their overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance and poses risks of zoonotic infections. Bacteriophage endolysins represent a promising alternative for combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections and eradicating bacterial biofilms associated with poultry pathogens. However, challenges including delivery stability and efficacy in poultry environments need to be addressed. Encapsulation into liposomes or nanoparticles enhances endolysin stability and delivery, while spray-dried formulations can preserve bioactivity and enhance stability for potential poultry applications. Endolysins offer a viable alternative to antibiotics for combating bacterial resistance, although further research is needed to optimize their application and overcome limitations. This review describes bacteriophage endolysins as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in poultry farming.
Keywords: Bacteriophage, Endolysins, Multidrug-resistant bacteria, Poultry
Full-Text [PDF 1022 kb]   (33 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Review article | Subject: Anti-microbial agents, resistance and treatment protocols
Received: 2025/12/1 | Accepted: 2025/09/10 | Published: 2025/12/2
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