The Perfect Predator

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An electrifying memoir recounts one woman's extraordinary effort to save her husband's life and the rediscovery of a forgotten cure that could save millions. When psychologist Tom Patterson fell ill during a vacation in Egypt, what began as a stomach bug escalated into a critical situation. Transferred to UC San Diego, where both he and his wife, epidemiologist Steffanie Strathdee, worked, Tom was diagnosed with a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant infection. As modern medicine faltered, Steffanie delved into research and uncovered phage therapy—the use of viruses to target and kill harmful bacteria. Once abandoned nearly a century ago after the rise of antibiotics, phage therapy became their last hope. With time running out, Steffanie sought help from phage researchers worldwide, garnering support from the FDA, Texas A&M, and a secretive Navy biomedical center. Together, they revived this forgotten treatment. This gripping medical mystery is a profound tale of love, survival, and the (re)discovery of a potent weapon in the fight against the global superbug crisis.