Vaccine and Bacteriophage Approaches for Controlling Bacterial Diseases in Livestock and Poultry

The intensification of livestock and poultry production has significantly increased the economic impact of bacterial diseases, which cause substantial losses through mortality, reduced productivity, and trade restrictions. While antibiotics have been widely used for control, the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to both animal and public health, driving the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. Vaccines offer a proactive strategy for disease prevention, yet their development faces challenges such as pathogen diversity, adaptation, and cost-effectiveness for broad agricultural use. Concurrently, bacteriophages-viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria have re-emerged as a precise, adaptable, and potentially resistance-breaking therapeutic option. Integrating these two approaches could transform how we manage bacterial infections in animal agriculture, promoting both animal welfare and food security in an era of reduced antibiotic reliance.This Research Topic aims to compile cutting-edge research and reviews on the development, application, and integration of vaccine and bacteriophage-based strategies to prevent and treat bacterial diseases in livestock and poultry. We seek to highlight advances in understanding immune responses to vaccines, innovative vaccine design (e.g., subunit, vector-based, or nucleic acid vaccines), and the isolation, characterization, and formulation of bacteriophages for therapeutic or prophylactic use. A key goal is to explore how these approaches can complement each other and be implemented within practical farming systems. We also encourage submissions on economic analyses, field trial outcomes, safety evaluations, and regulatory considerations. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this topic intends to accelerate the transition from conventional antibiotic-dependent practices to targeted, sustainable, and effective disease management solutions.We welcome original research articles, methods, reviews and perspectives related to bacterial disease control in livestock and poultry, with emphasis on vaccines and bacteriophages. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: 1. Vaccine design, development, and evaluation against key bacterial pathogens in animals. 2. Bacteriophage isolation, characterization, pharmacokinetics, and delivery systems. 3. Combined or sequential use of vaccines and phages for enhanced protection. 4. Mechanisms of immunity, phage-bacteria interactions, and resistance management. 5. Field applications, efficacy trials, and practical implementation challenges. 6. Economic, safety, and regulatory aspects of vaccine and phage products. Topic editors: Shenye Yu, Zhang Wan Jiang, Thi Thu Hoai Nguyen, Di Wang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76344/vaccine-and-bacteriophage-approaches-for-controlling-bacterial-diseases-in-livestock-and-poultry