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Dai L, Wu J, Chen R, Zhang R, Zhang Y, Wei W. Isolation and characterization of a novel bacteriophage against Vibrio alginolyticus from coastal waters and its environmental tolerance. Virology 2024; 600:110219. [PMID: 39278102 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
In response to the problems associated with drug resistance resulting from the use of antibiotics, phages have become desirable options for the treatment of Vibrio alginolyticus disease in aquaculture. In this study, we isolated a novel double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) phage named vB_ValC_WD615 infecting V. alginolyticus; this phage belongs to the family Podoviridae and has a short noncontractile tail (13 ± 1.5 nm) and an icosahedral head (60.2 ± 2 nm); its genome is 50,522 bp and encodes 69 open reading frames (ORFs) and no lysogenic genes were annotated in the genome. Physiological results indicate that vB_ValC_WD615 infects V. alginolyticus SC1 with a burst size of 335 PFU/cell and can maintain stable infectivity within temperature and pH conditions ranging from 4 to 45 °C and 3 to 11, respectively. The results suggest that the vB_ValC_WD615 isolated from coastal waters could be a potential candidate for phage therapy targeting V. alginolyticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanfeng Dai
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430205, PR China
| | - Jie Wu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, PR China
| | - Ruo Chen
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, 3000, Denmark
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Youhong Zhang
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430205, PR China.
| | - Wei Wei
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430205, PR China.
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Gao J, Zhu Y, Zhang R, Xu J, Zhou R, Di M, Zhang D, Liang W, Zhou X, Ren X, Li H, Yang Y. Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Phage against Vibrio alginolyticus Belonging to a New Genus. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9132. [PMID: 39201817 PMCID: PMC11354583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25169132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Vibrio alginolyticus causes substantial economic losses in the aquaculture industry. With the rise of multidrug-resistant Vibrio strains, phages present a promising solution. Here, a novel lytic Vibrio phage, vB_ValC_RH2G (RH2G), that efficiently infects the pathogenic strain V. alginolyticus ATCC 17749T, was isolated from mixed wastewater from an aquatic market in Xiamen, China. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that RH2G has the morphology of Siphoviruses, featuring an icosahedral head (73 ± 2 nm diameter) and long noncontractile tail (142 ± 4 nm). A one-step growth experiment showed that RH2G had a short latent period (10 min) and a burst size of 48 phage particles per infected cell. Additionally, RH2G was highly species-specific and was relatively stable at 4-55 °C and pH 4-10. A genomic analysis showed that RH2G has a 116,749 bp double-stranded DNA genome with 43.76% GC content. The intergenomic similarity between the genome sequence of RH2G and other phages recorded in the GenBank database was below 38.8%, suggesting that RH2G represents a new genus. RH2G did not exhibit any virulence or resistance genes. Its rapid lysis capacity, lytic activity, environmental resilience, and genetic safety suggested that RH2G may be a safe candidate for phage therapy in combatting vibriosis in aquaculture settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University (Xiang’an), Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yuang Zhu
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518061, China;
| | - Juntian Xu
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Runjie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Trophic Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China;
- Centre for Regional Oceans, Department of Ocean Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Meiqi Di
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Di Zhang
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development/Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536000, China
| | - Wenxin Liang
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Xing Zhou
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Xing Ren
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development/Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536000, China
| | - Huifang Li
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (J.G.); (J.X.); (D.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University (Xiang’an), Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yunlan Yang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518061, China;
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Li S, Wei B, Xu L, Cong C, Murtaza B, Wang L, Li X, Li J, Xu M, Yin J, Xu Y. In vivo efficacy of phage cocktails against carbapenem resistance Acinetobacter baumannii in the rat pneumonia model. J Virol 2024; 98:e0046724. [PMID: 38864621 PMCID: PMC11265278 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00467-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic pathogen, poses a significant threat in intensive care units, leading to severe nosocomial infections. The rise of multi-drug-resistant strains, particularly carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, has created formidable challenges for effective treatment. Given the prolonged development cycle and high costs associated with antibiotics, phages have garnered clinical attention as an alternative for combating infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. However, the utilization of phage therapy encounters notable challenges, including the narrow host spectrum, where each phage targets a limited subset of bacteria, increasing the risk of phage resistance development. Additionally, uncertainties in immune system dynamics during treatment hinder tailoring symptomatic interventions based on patient-specific states. In this study, we isolated two A. baumannii phages from wastewater and conducted a comprehensive assessment of their potential applications. This evaluation included sequencing analysis, genome classification, pH and temperature stability assessments, and in vitro bacterial inhibition assays. Further investigations involved analyzing histological and cytokine alterations in rats undergoing phage cocktail treatment for pneumonia. The therapeutic efficacy of the phages was validated, and transcriptomic studies of rat lung tissue during phage treatment revealed crucial changes in the immune system. The findings from our study underscore the potential of phages for future development as a treatment strategy and offer compelling evidence regarding immune system dynamics throughout the treatment process.IMPORTANCEDue to the growing problem of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, the use of phages is being considered as an alternative to antibiotics, and the genetic safety and application stability of phages determine the potential of phage application. The absence of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in the phage genome can ensure the safety of phage application, and the fact that phage can remain active in a wide range of temperatures and pH is also necessary for application. In addition, the effect evaluation of preclinical studies is especially important for clinical application. By simulating the immune response situation during the treatment process through mammalian models, the changes in animal immunity can be observed, and the effect of phage therapy can be further evaluated. Our study provides compelling evidence that phages hold promise for further development as therapeutic agents for Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibin Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bingdong Wei
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Le Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Cong Cong
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bilal Murtaza
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lili Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Jibin Li
- R&D Centre, Liaoning Innovation Center for Phage Application Professional Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Mu Xu
- R&D Department, Dalian SEM Bio-Engineering Technology Co. Ltd., Dalian, China
| | - Jiajun Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yongping Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- R&D Department, Dalian SEM Bio-Engineering Technology Co. Ltd., Dalian, China
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Tadeu AD, Duarte J, Trindade D, Costa P, Venâncio C, Lopes I, Oliveira V, Gomes NCM, Almeida A, Pereira C. Bacteriophages to control Vibrio alginolyticus in live feeds prior to their administration in larviculture. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae115. [PMID: 38710582 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of two phages [VB_VaC_TDDLMA (phage TDD) and VB_VaC_SRILMA (phage SRI)] alone and in a cocktail to control Vibrio alginolyticus in brine shrimp before their administration in larviculture. METHODS AND RESULTS Phages were isolated from seawater samples and characterized by host spectrum, growth parameters, adsorption rate, genomic analysis, and inactivation efficiency. Both phages belong to the Caudoviricetes class and lack known virulence or antibiotic-resistance genes. They exhibit specificity, infecting only their host, V. alginolyticus CECT 521. Preliminary experiments in a culture medium showed that phage TDD (reduction of 5.8 log CFU ml-1 after 10 h) outperformed phage SRI (reduction of 4.6 log CFU ml-1 after 6 h) and the cocktail TDD/SRI (reduction of 5.2 log CFU ml-1 after 8 h). In artificial marine water experiments with Artemia franciscana, both single phage suspensions and the phage cocktail, effectively inactivated V. alginolyticus in culture water (reduction of 4.3, 2.1, and 1.9 log CFU ml-1 for phages TDD, SRI, and the phage cocktail, respectively, after 12 h) and in A. franciscana (reduction of 51.6%, 87.3%, and 85.3% for phages TDD, SRI, and the phage cocktail, respectively, after 24 h). The two phages and the phage cocktail did not affect A. franciscana natural microbiota or other Vibrio species in the brine shrimp. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that phages can safely and effectively control V. alginolyticus in A. franciscana prior to its administration in larviculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Dias Tadeu
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Duarte
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - David Trindade
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Costa
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cátia Venâncio
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Oliveira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Newton C M Gomes
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Adelaide Almeida
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carla Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Cingolani G, Lokareddy R, Hou CF, Forti F, Iglesias S, Li F, Pavlenok M, Niederweis M, Briani F. Integrative structural analysis of Pseudomonas phage DEV reveals a genome ejection motor. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3941185. [PMID: 38463957 PMCID: PMC10925440 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3941185/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
DEV is an obligatory lytic Pseudomonas phage of the N4-like genus, recently reclassified as Schitoviridae. The DEV genome encodes 91 ORFs, including a 3,398 amino acid virion-associated RNA polymerase. Here, we describe the complete architecture of DEV, determined using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy localized reconstruction, biochemical methods, and genetic knockouts. We built de novo structures of all capsid factors and tail components involved in host attachment. We demonstrate that DEV long tail fibers are essential for infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and dispensable for infecting mutants with a truncated lipopolysaccharide devoid of the O-antigen. We identified DEV ejection proteins and, unexpectedly, found that the giant DEV RNA polymerase, the hallmark of the Schitoviridae family, is an ejection protein. We propose that DEV ejection proteins form a genome ejection motor across the host cell envelope and that these structural principles are conserved in all Schitoviridae.
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Montso PK, Kropinski AM, Mokoena F, Pierneef RE, Mlambo V, Ateba CN. Comparative genomics and proteomics analysis of phages infecting multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli O177 isolated from cattle faeces. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21426. [PMID: 38052835 PMCID: PMC10698182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48788-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens has become a major global health concern. To address this challenge, innovative strategies such as bacteriophage therapy must be optimised. Genomic characterisation is a crucial step in identifying suitable phage candidates for combating AMR pathogens. The aim of this study was to characterise seven phages that infect the Escherichia coli O177 strain using a whole genome sequencing. The analysis of genome sequences revealed that these phages had linear dsDNA, with genome sizes spanning from 136, 483 to 166,791 bp and GC content varying from 35.39 to 43.63%. Taxonomically, the phages were classified under three different subfamilies (Stephanstirmvirinae, Tevenvirinae, and Vequintavirinae) and three genera (Phapecoctavirus, Tequatrovirus, and Vequintavirus) within the class Caudoviricetes. In silico PhageAI analysis predicted that all the phages were virulent, with confidence levels between 96.07 and 97.26%. The phage genomes contained between 66 and 82 ORFs, which encode hypothetical and putative functional proteins. In addition, the phage genomes contained core genes associated with molecular processes such as DNA replication, transcription modulation, nucleotide metabolism, phage structure (capsid and tail), and lysis. None of the genomes carried genes associated with undesirable traits such as integrase, antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and toxins. The study revealed high genome and proteome homology among E. coli O177 phages and other known Escherichia phages. The results suggest that the seven phages are new members of the genera Phapecoctavirus, Tequatrovirus, and Vequintavirus under the subfamilies Stephanstirmvirinae, Tevenvirinae, and Vequintavirinae, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kotsoana Montso
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Department Food Science, and Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Fortunate Mokoena
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Rian Ewald Pierneef
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- SARChI Chair: Marine Microbiomics, Microbiome@UP, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria (UP), Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Victor Mlambo
- Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, 1200, South Africa
| | - Collins Njie Ateba
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa
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Jia PP, Yang YF, Junaid M, Jia HJ, Li WG, Pei DS. Bacteriophage-based techniques for elucidating the function of zebrafish gut microbiota. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:2039-2059. [PMID: 36847856 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12439-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (or phages) are unique viruses that can specifically infect bacteria. Since their discovery by Twort and d'Herelle, phages with bacterial specificity have played important roles in microbial regulation. The intestinal microbiota and host health are intimately linked with nutrient, metabolism, development, and immunity aspects. However, the mechanism of interactions between the composition of the microbiota and their functions in maintaining host health still needs to be further explored. To address the lack of methodology and functions of intestinal microbiota in the host, we first proposed that, with the regulations of special intestinal microbiota and applications of germ-free (GF) zebrafish model, phages would be used to infect and reduce/eliminate the defined gut bacteria in the conventionally raised (CR) zebrafish and compared with the GF zebrafish colonized with defined bacterial strains. Thus, this review highlighted the background and roles of phages and their functional characteristics, and we also summarized the phage-specific infection of target microorganisms, methods to improve the phage specificity, and their regulation within the zebrafish model and gut microbial functional study. Moreover, the primary protocol of phage therapy to control the intestinal microbiota in zebrafish models from larvae to adults was recommended including phage screening from natural sources, identification of host ranges, and experimental design in the animal. A well understanding of the interaction and mechanism between phages and gut bacteria in the host can potentially provide powerful strategies or techniques for preventing bacteria-related human diseases by precisely regulating in vitro and in vivo, which will provide novel insights for phages' application and combined research in the future. KEY POINTS: • Zebrafish models for clarifying the microbial and phages' functions were discussed • Phages infect host bacteria with exquisite specificity and efficacy • Phages can reduce/eliminate the defined gut bacteria to clarify their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Pan Jia
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yi-Fan Yang
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region On Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huang-Jie Jia
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Wei-Guo Li
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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