[peatmoss]

I'm not an expert here, but I think part of the selling point of phages is their specificity in targeting a particular bacterial strain, and then having the capacity to co-evolve with bacteria to that might otherwise develop immunity to a particular compound. I'd assume this is a valid approach, but probably relies on having a phage "in stock" that targets the particular strain of staph.

By contrast, a probiotic is sort of an ecological approach. Rather than targeting the staph directly, you just introduce something benign that competes with the staphylococcus, preventing it from dominating the environment (i.e. overwhelming your body).

I have an on again off again relationship with culturing kefir. Regular consumption of kefir produced from healthy cultures definitely feels like an immunity shield from food poisoning. I like to imagine that any pathogenic bacteria that find their way into my gut are roughed up by the locals.

[tguvot]

those phages are specifically targeting staph infection. this company has a few "off the shelf" ready compounds for sale. given that parent has today problem with staph, priority I think will be to treat it with something that is available (as he is currently trying with antibiotics) and not with probiotics of specific strain that seems to be unobtanium as of now

[peatmoss]

Sure, if they have an in-stock phage that targets his particular strain of staph, why not?

But the Bacillus subtilis also appears to be readily available. I think if I were faced with a potentially life-threatening staph infection, I'd happily do all of the above: antibiotics, probiotics, and sure, phages too. The latter two seem like low risk things to try (EDIT: but I'd probably at least run the idea past my doc)