We are delighted to celebrate a new publication from our Midlands MHN DTP fellow David Wenzel, whose latest paper has been published in PLOS ONE.
David’s article, “Phage therapy for recurrent urinary tract infections: A qualitative study using the theoretical framework of acceptability”, explores how patients, clinicians and healthcare professionals in the UK perceive the emerging use of bacteriophage therapy for recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs).
Using qualitative focus groups with 44 participants across key stakeholder groups, the study examines the acceptability of phage therapy through the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability, offering valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of introducing this innovative treatment into clinical practice.
The findings highlight a strong sense of optimism and enthusiasm towards phage therapy, particularly among patients with lived experience of recurrent infections. At the same time, the research carefully explores important considerations around equity of access, costs within the NHS, and the need for clear communication about safety and effectiveness.
This publication also tells an important story of collaboration and perseverance. The project originated at the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research at the University of Leicester, where initial work had begun to explore this important area. However, due to illness within the original author team, the study faced the risk of not reaching publication.
Stepping in at a critical point, David played a key role in ensuring the work could be brought to completion. He contributed to the data analysis and led on writing the final manuscript, enabling the research team to share their findings and ensure the impact of the project was realised.
The study sits within a rapidly evolving field. With antimicrobial resistance posing a growing global challenge, phage therapy, using viruses that specifically target bacteria, has re-emerged as a promising alternative or complement to antibiotics. Research such as this is essential for understanding not just the science, but how new treatments can be responsibly and effectively introduced into healthcare systems.
This publication reflects the MHN DTP’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration, combining qualitative methods, clinical insight and health systems thinking. It also highlights the importance of adaptability and teamwork in research, demonstrating how challenges can be overcome to deliver meaningful outputs.
We congratulate David on this achievement and on his dedication to supporting collaborative research. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of his work in advancing patient-centred and innovative healthcare approaches.
📖 Wenzel D, Crick M, Tarrant C, Revitt O, Senior J, Haines M (2026), Phage therapy for recurrent urinary tract infections: A qualitative study using the theoretical framework of acceptability, PLOS ONE.
🗓️ Published: 19 May 2026
🔗 Read the full article here