Aniță, Dragoș-ConstantinAniță, Adriana-Elena2026-06-162026-06-1620251454-7406https://repository.iuls.ro/handle/20.500.12811/6645The accelerating global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has intensified the need for novel antimicrobial strategies in both human and veterinary medicine. Bacteriophage therapy (BT), which utilizes lytic viruses that selectively target bacterial pathogens, is re-emerging as a biologically precise and ecologically compatible alternative to antibiotics. This review synthesizes current knowledge on phage biology, host-pathogen evolutionary dynamics, and veterinary applications across livestock, poultry, companion animals, and aquaculture. It further examines molecular innovations such as engineered phages, phage-derived enzymes (endolysins, depolymerases), and CRISPR-assisted genome editing. Documented experimental and clinical evidence, including recent case reports and trials, demonstrates significant phage activity against critical pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus/pseudintermedius, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Despite striking therapeutic potential, challenges persist, including the emergence of phage-resistant bacterial variants, complex regulatory constraints, variability in delivery systems, and the need for standardized manufacturing. Addressing these limitations through robust experimental design, enhanced regulatory frameworks (including magistral preparation models), and integration of advanced phage engineering tools will be critical for the full translational implementation of phage therapy under the One Health framework.EnglishAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/antimicrobial resistanceAMR)CRISPR-assisted genome editingBacteriophage therapycritical pathogensArticle2393-4603https://doi.org/10.61900/SPJVS.2025.04.17