Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42199538›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in microbiology2026

CRISPR-Cas systems as next-generation antimicrobials: a systemic review of mechanisms, delivery strategies, and translational challenges.

Maha S I Wizrah

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in microbiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Maha S I WizrahDepartment of Biology, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The rapid global increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has compromised the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics, stressing the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. CRISPR-Cas systems, originally evolved as bacterial adaptive immune mechanisms, provide programmable and highly specific tools for targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants. Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the antibacterial mechanisms, delivery strategies, preclinical evidence, safety considerations, and translational potential of CRISPR-Cas systems for combating MDR bacterial infections. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to January 2026 in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included original Results: Most studies reported effective killing or resensitization of MDR bacteria through chromosomal double-strand break induction, resistance plasmid curing, integron disruption, or RNA-targeted cleavage. Cas9 was the most frequently employed effector, followed by Cas12 and Cas13. Delivery strategies included bacteriophages, conjugative plasmids, and nanoparticle-based systems, with phage-mediated delivery demonstrating the most consistent efficacy in complex environments and animal models. Notably, a CRISPR-enhanced engineered bacteriophage cocktail (LBP-EC01) has advanced to clinical evaluation. Discussion: Overall, the evidence supports CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials as a promising precision-based approach for addressing AMR. However, major barriers remain, including limited host range, instability in physiological environments, emergence of escape mutations, and insufficient data on off-target effects and long-term safety. Addressing these challenges through optimized delivery platforms, multiplex targeting strategies, and standardized safety and regulatory frameworks will be essential for clinical translation. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261319789, identifier CRD4201319789.

Indexed as

anti-CRISPRantimicrobial resistanceCRISPR–Casmultidrug resistancephage deliveryplasmid curingsynthetic biology

Identifiers

PMID42199538
PMCPMC13199036

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.