Isolation of Bacteriophage: An Antibiotic Alternative for the Control of Salmonella Infections.

The rise of multidrug resistance (MDR) poses a significant challenge to global health, reducing the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Salmonella as a priority pathogen due to its global burden in foodborne disease and the escalating threat of MDR strains. Bacteriophages (phages) are gaining attention as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Their strict host specificity has potential applications in both therapeutic and food safety contexts. However, the first step toward practical application is the successful isolation of phages from appropriate environmental sources. This chapter outlines a detailed protocol for isolating phages targeting Salmonella from different sources and for preparing purified phage stocks. It also covers practical notes to ensure that the methods are applied effectively.