Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 50-60 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 58 The importance of microbial predators in disease management cannot be overstated. As antibiotic resistance continues to pose a global health threat, the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies becomes increasingly urgent. Predatory bacteria offer a unique mechanism of action, preying on pathogenic bacteria and reducing their populations without the risk of developing resistance that is commonly associated with traditional antibiotics. Their ability to target a broad range of Gram-negative bacteria makes them particularly valuable in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Moreover, the ecological role of predatory bacteria in nutrient cycling and maintaining microbial community structure further underscores their potential in both environmental and clinical applications. Future research should focus on several key areas to fully capitalize on the potential of microbial predators in disease management, more in-depth studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of predation and the interactions between predatory bacteria and their prey at the molecular level, including exploring genetic and biochemical pathways involved in the mechanisms of predation and resistance, and it is important to comprehensively assess, through extensive in vivo studies and clinical trials, the predatory bacteria's clinical settings' safety and efficacy, and the development of combination therapies utilizing predatory bacteria and phages should be pursued, as this approach has shown enhanced efficacy in controlling bacterial populations. Future studies should also evaluate the ecological impact of introducing predatory bacteria into different environments to ensure that their use does not disrupt existing microbial communities or lead to unintended consequences. In conclusion, microbial predators have great potential as a new frontier in disease management. By deepening the understanding of their biology and optimizing their application, innovative strategies can be developed to combat bacterial infections and address the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. Acknowledgments The author thanks the two anonymous peer reviewers for their thorough review of this study and for their valuable suggestions for improvement. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The author affirms that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Angles A., Valle-Pérez A., Hauser C., and Mahfouz M., 2022, Microbial biocontainment systems for clinical, agricultural, and industrial applications, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10: 20. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.830200 Arend K., Schmidt J., Bentler T., Lüchtefeld C., Eggerichs D., Hexamer H., and Kaimer C., 2020, Myxococcus xanthus predation of gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria is mediated by different bacteriolytic mechanisms, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 87: 20. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02382-20 Bamisile B., Akutse K., Siddiqui J., and Xu Y., 2021, Model application of entomopathogenic fungi as alternatives to chemical pesticides: prospects, Challenges, and insights for next-generation sustainable agriculture, Frontiers in Plant Science, 12: 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.741804 Berasategui A., Shukla S., Salem H., and Kaltenpoth M., 2015, Potential applications of insect symbionts in biotechnology, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 100: 1567-1577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-7186-9 Büttner H., Niehs S., Vandelannoote K., Cseresnyés Z., Dose B., Richter I., Gerst R., Figge M., Stinear T., Pidot S., and Hertweck C., 2021, Bacterial endosymbionts protect beneficial soil fungus from nematode attack, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 7: 118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2110669118 Chen H., Athar R., Zheng G., and Williams H., 2011, Prey bacteria shape the community structure of their predators, The ISME Journal, 5: 1314-1322. https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2011.4 Dörr T., 2023, Cleave a septum, leave a cell: Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus secretes a specialized lytic transglycosylase to clear prey cell septum obstruction, Journal of Bacteriology, 205: 23. https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00074-23
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