Phage Stability Research: A Systematic Review Bridging Methodological Gaps and Paving the Way for Industrial and Clinical Applications

Abstract

The increasing demand for alternative approaches to antibiotics has sparked renewed global interest in phage research worldwide. While numerous recent success stories are finding their way into the public eye, there are still some concerns related to phage treatments that need to be considered, particularly phage stability. However, phage stability-determining parameters have not been thoroughly evaluated across different phage-related applications. Differences in methodological approaches complicate comparisons between studies and hinder the establishment of standardized protocols for most applications. In the present work, a systematic review was performed using Web of Science and Scopus to identify studies on phage stability under varying environmental conditions, namely temperature, pH, salinity, and ultraviolet exposure between 2014 and 2024. Studies were considered eligible if conducted in buffers, media, or other suspensions and if phages were not manipulated to improve stability prior to evaluation. A total of 327 articles were analyzed and their limitations and implications for industrial and clinical applications evaluated. By addressing these gaps in current knowledge, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of the need for standardization in phage stability studies, ultimately enabling their effective application in diverse environments and enhancing their translation into practice.