FAQ Phage Therapy (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are bacteria phages a recognized medicine in Europe or the United States?
Bacteriophages are not authorized medicines within the European Union or the United States
Where is treatment possible?
The best treatment is currently only possible in Georgia.
Why is a sensitivity test necessary before treatment?
Bacteriophages are specially developed and made for one bacterium or series of bacteria. For example, the patient has a Staphylococcus infection, then a Staphylococcus phage must be treated. Or in the case of an E.coli infection, with an E. coli bacteriophage.
Phage will completely destroy the bacterium, but only if the phage is properly matched with the bacterium for which it was made. If the test shows that the bacterium is not sensitive to the standard phage, a tailor-made bacteriophage can also be developed, the so-called custom phage.
What can I expect from a phage treatment in Tbilisi, Georgia?
Patients from all over the world come to Tbilisi, Georgia to be treated for antibiotic-resistant infections using their unique collection of bacteriophages. The treatment consists of the necessary diagnostic tests, varying from bacterial analyzes to blood tests, MRI, CT scans, and all medical tests that are needed. The consultations of medical specialists, such as an internist, urologist, gynecologist, neurologist, ENT doctor, dermatologist, are also included. The standard bacteriophages are included.
What are the costs of a treatment?
A treatment in Georgia at the
Eliava Phage Therapy Center
or the
Phage Therapy Center
is the most effective. The prices of a treatment can vary per person, it depends on the clinic of your choice and your specific situation. You pay the treatment directly to clinic.
In addition to the treatment costs there will also be costs for the trip and the stay in Georgia. Please contact
Why Me Tbilisi
for a price indication of their service in accordance with your wishes and needs.
Is remote treatment possible by ordering Bacteriophages?
In exceptional cases, the clinic may decide to start a remote treatment. In the Netherlands, treatment with bacteriophages is not possible at the moment because it is not a registered medicine. It should therefore not be used by doctors. However, special circumstances might be possible under Article 37 of the Helsinki Convention. Contact us for more information regarding the possibilities.
Are the bacteriophages and / or treatments reimbursed by my health insurance?
Because it is not yet permitted with us as a medicine, treatments with bacteriophages are not reimbursed.
What is the Eliava Institute?
The Eliava Institute has been making bacteriophages for the population of Georgia for 80 years. They have considerable knowledge and can count themselves one of the largest in the world to focus on the development of this method of treatment. More information can be found on their website .
Which bacterial infections can be treated with bacteriophages?
A selection of the possibilities:
- Streptococcus
- Staphylococcus
- Enterococcus
- coli
- Proteus
- Pseudomonas
- other pathogenic bacteria
Which bacterial infections and diseases can not be treated ?
Cancers, Clostridium thyrobutiricum, Helicobacter Pylori, Behcet disease, Lyme disease (Borrélia), Crohn disease, Cystic fibrosis, Mycoses, Myco bacteria, Nocardia, Propionibacterium acnes, Hemorrhagic retinitis, Scléroderma, Viruses
Are bacteriophages dangerous?
Bacteriophages only attack the bacteria for which they are made, all good bacteria remain untouched.
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