Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 170-178 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 170 Review Article Open Access Microbial Warriors: Using Predatory Bacteria to Combat Pathogens JimMason The HITAR Institute Canada, British Columbia, Canada Corresponding email: jim.mason@hitar.org Molecular Pathogens, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0016 Received: 16 May, 2024 Accepted: 22 Jun., 2024 Published: 08 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Mason, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Mason J., 2024, Microbial warriors: using predatory bacteria to combat pathogens, Molecular Pathogens, 15(4): 170-178 (doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0016) Abstract Predatory bacteria have garnered increasing attention in pathogen control research due to their unique predatory mechanisms. This study provides an overview of the historical background of microbial predation and the discovery of predatory bacteria, focusing on the mechanisms of bacterial predation, including predator-prey cellular interactions and metabolic adaptations. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the significant effectiveness of these predatory bacteria in eliminating multidrug-resistant pathogens, particularly highlighting their potential in biofilm-related infections. Although predatory bacteria show promise for clinical applications, challenges such as prey resistance, environmental factors, and safety concerns still require further investigation and resolution. In the future, genetic engineering, applications in agriculture and veterinary medicine, and the integration with bioengineering and nanotechnology will pave new pathways for the application of predatory bacteria. This study aims to enhance the potential of predatory bacteria through these innovative approaches, ultimately providing a basis for their clinical use as therapeutic agents. Keywords Predatory bacteria; Pathogen control; Multidrug resistance; Biofilm infections; Genetic engineering 1 Introduction Microbial predation is a fundamental ecological process that significantly influences the structure and dynamics of microbial communities. Predatory bacteria, such as myxobacteria and Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, employ various strategies to hunt and consume other microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. These predators can secrete antibiotic metabolites and hydrolytic enzymes to lyse their prey, releasing nutrients into the environment (Korp et al., 2016; Sydney et al., 2021). Predatory bacteria are found in diverse environments, from soil and water to marine ecosystems and even within host-associated microbiomes, where they can regulate community structure and potentially protect hosts from pathogenic bacteria. The study of bacterial predation dates back over 75 years, beginning with the investigation of myxobacteria. Since then, numerous predatory strains and their hunting strategies have been identified, revealing the widespread distribution and ecological significance of these organisms (Pérez et al., 2016). Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, for example, was discovered to invade and kill Gram-negative bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens, making it a potential candidate for therapeutic applications (Negus et al., 2017; Madhusoodanan, 2019). Recent discoveries have also highlighted novel predatory groups, such as Bradymonabacteria, which exhibit unique survival strategies in saline environments (Mu et al., 2020). This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of predatory bacteria and their potential applications in combating pathogenic microorganisms. We will explore the mechanisms of predation, the ecological roles of predatory bacteria, and their interactions with prey and other microbial community members. Additionally, we will discuss the potential of using predatory bacteria as an alternative to traditional antibiotics in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. 2 Mechanisms of Predation by Bacteria 2.1 Classification of predatory bacteria Predatory bacteria can be classified into three main groups based on their dependency on prey for survival: obligate predators, facultative predators, and opportunistic predators. Obligate predators, such as Bdellovibrio
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