Unraveling Salmonella enterica Phage Interactions: From Receptors to Resistance and Food-Based Applications

Salmonella enterica is a foodborne pathogen that is responsible for various diseases worldwide. Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a significant impediment to effectively treating Salmonella, highlighting the need for novel strategies. Among these strategies, phage therapy has gained prominence due to the innate ability of bacteriophages to act as natural predators. Enhancing the effectiveness of phage therapy requires a deep understanding of the intricate interactions between Salmonella and its phages, including the phage infection cycle and the reciprocal defense and counterdefense strategies used by both bacteria and phages. This review provides a detailed overview of these interactions and examines the application of Salmonella phages in food matrices, highlighting the potential of phage therapy as an innovative and sustainable solution for controlling this pathogen.