Antibiotic resistance could be countered by anti-bacterial viruses

Research found some patients had lower E coli levels after being given cocktail of 'phages'

Viruses that invade bacteria but leave human cells alone could help scientists find ways around the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, researchers have said.

A study has showed that a cocktail of bacteriophages, or "phages", resulted in no side effects when given to individuals with gastrointestinal problems and did not appear to greatly disrupt the diversity of microbes in the gut - the so-called gut microbiota. But they did reduce levels of one marker of inflammation and certain problematic species of bacteria.