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. 2007 Jan;18(1):19-26.
doi: 10.1155/2007/976850.

Phage as an antimicrobial agent: d'Herelle's heretical theories and their role in the decline of phage prophylaxis in the West

Dottore Emiliano Fruciano  1 , Shawna Bourne
Affiliations

Phage as an antimicrobial agent: d'Herelle's heretical theories and their role in the decline of phage prophylaxis in the West

Dottore Emiliano Fruciano et al. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2007 Jan.

Abstract
in English, French

The present report describes the presentation given by medical historian Dottore Emiliano Fruciano at the Stanier/Oxford Hygiene Symposium, held in Oxford, England, on November 10, 2004. Dr Fruciano's lecture, entitled "The failure of d'Herelle's project to consolidate the value of phage in the prevention and prophylaxis of infectious pathologies", provided a historical synthesis of the events that led to the dismissal of the amazing discoveries of Félix d'Herelle. The present article chronicles the profound works of d'Herelle, from spectacular scientific, commercial and political successes to complete obscurity. The impact of social perspectives on the outcomes of critical scientific research is revealed in this poignant account.

Le présent rapport rend compte de la conférence prononcée par le professeur Emiliano Fruciano, historien de la médecine, à l’occasion du Symposium d’hygiène publique Stanier/Oxford, tenu à Oxford, le 10 novembre 2004. La conférence du Pr Fruciano, intitulée The Failure of d’Hérelle's project to consolidate the value of phage in the prevention and prophylaxis of infectious pathologies (L’échec du projet d’Hérelle de confirmer l’utilité du phage dans la prévention et la prophylaxie des infections), se voulait une synthèse historique des événements qui ont mené à la mise au rancart des étonnantes découvertes de Félix d’Hérelle. Le présent article retrace les grandes lignes des importants travaux réalisés par d’Hérelle et son cheminement, de ses fracassants succès scientifiques, commerciaux et politiques, jusqu’aux oubliettes où il est retombé. L’impact des enjeux sociaux sur l’issue de la recherche scientifique critique est révélé au grand jour dans cet émouvant compte rendu.

Keywords: Bacteriophage; Immunity; Medical history; Phage therapy; Prophylaxis; Stanier symposium; d’Herelle.

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References

    1. d’Hérelle F. Sur un microbe invisible antagoniste des bacilles dysentérique. Acad Sci Paris. 1917;165:373–5.
    1. d’Hérelle F. Le bacteriophage. La Nature (Paris) 1921a;49:219–22.
    1. d’Hérelle F. Le Bactériophage et Son Comportement. Paris: et Cie; 1926.
    1. Ackermann H-W, DuBow M. Practical Applications of Bacteriophages. Florida: CRC Press; 1987. Viruses of Prokaryotes I: General Properties of Bacteriophages.
    1. Bruynoghe R, Maisin J. Essais de thérapeutique au moyen du bacteriophage du Staphylocoque. C R Soc Biol. 1921;85:1120–1.

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