Phage therapy for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: a scoping review
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) comprise a diverse group of organisms that can cause pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease. Their management is challenging, because many NTM species exhibit intrinsic antimicrobial resistance; current multidrug treatment regimens have limited efficacy and tolerability; and the number of immunocompromised individuals at risk of NTM disease is increasing. Phage therapy has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic option for refractory NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). This scoping review aimed to map and critically assess the existing evidence on the clinical use of phage therapy for NTM-PD and its reported outcomes. Methods: PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Embase were searched for studies published between August 2015 and August 2025, in any language, addressing phage therapy in NTM-PD. Additional backward and forward citation searches were conducted to identify further relevant studies. Results: infections treated under compassionate-use protocols or individualised regimens. Reported clinical and microbiological outcomes were inconsistent: some patients showed transient improvement or culture conversion, while others had no measurable benefit. Phage resistance was uncommon but incompletely assessed, and immune-mediated neutralisation emerged as a future concern. No serious adverse events were described. Conclusions: Current evidence supports the feasibility but not the efficacy of phage therapy for NTM-PD. Published data are limited to isolated, heterogeneous cases and lack standardised definitions or controlled comparisons. Well-designed, prospective clinical trials are needed to clarify its therapeutic potential and optimise future application.
Source: Breathe
Institutions: Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia/Espinho, Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Leiria, Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Aveiro, Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Universidade do Porto, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Albel Salazar, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225733420