Groundwork for phage therapy: multi-faceted comparative analysis of lytic bacteriophages infecting uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Phage therapy is a promising alternative for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly given the rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance among uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). In this study, we review 98 reported lytic phages infecting UPEC, summarizing their morphology, host range, isolation sources, infection efficiency, progeny yield, adsorption rate, stability across pH and temperature ranges, biofilm-disrupting capacity, and other relevant characteristics. In addition, we conducted detailed bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses of phage genomic sequences. This multi-faceted analysis highlights the considerable diversity and strong therapeutic potential of anti-UPEC phages, providing a solid scientific basis for their application in phage therapy. However, several limitations remain that hinder clinical translation. We discuss these challenges, drawing on examples from the literature, and outline that comprehensive physiological and genomic characterization, combined with standardized testing methodologies, can address current barriers to the effective use of anti-UPEC phages.