ETH Zurich researchers have found a virus that kills dormant bacteria. This rare discovery could help to combat germs that can’t be treated with antibiotics alone.
The paride phage (purple) is one of the few phages to attack dormant bacteria. (Graphic: Enea Maffei / ETH Zurich)
In brief
For the first time, ETH Zurich researchers have isolated a bacteriophage from rotting plant material that can attack and kill bacteria in a dormant state.
How the phage manages this is still unclear.
Combination therapy with this phage and an antibiotic eradicates many dormant germs in pure culture and in the mouse model.
