Bacteriophages Against Bacterial Infections in Poultry Systems: A Scientometric Review

Poultry production faces challenges from bacterial infections, aggravated by antibiotic resistance, affecting bird welfare and the industry's economy. Bacteriophages show promise as a solution, but their use in poultry systems is still limited. This study uses scientometric analysis to investigate the incidence of bacterial infections in poultry systems and bacteriophage application trends. The Web of Science database was used, and the articles were refined by searching for keywords that included the most rep orted bacteria in the different phases of poultry farming and the application of phages. The articles were analyzed using the CiteSpace and Excel software, allowing the evaluation of publication trends, influential countries, and correlations with antimicrobial resistance and the use of bacteriophages. Results highlight Escherichia coli prevalence in poultry systems and reveal a correlation between the number of publications and poultry productivity, with the United States and China leading both aspects. Findings offer insights into bacterial control gaps in poultry systems, underscoring the need for further research and practical strategies.