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Ziller L, Blum PC, Buhl EM, Krüttgen A, Horz HP, Tagliaferri TL. Newly isolated Drexlerviridae phage LAPAZ is physically robust and fosters eradication of Klebsiella pneumoniae in combination with meropenem. Virus Res 2024; 347:199417. [PMID: 38880333 PMCID: PMC11245953 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Due to the spread of multidrug resistance there is a renewed interest in using bacteriophages (briefly: phages) for controlling bacterial pathogens. The objective of this study was the characterization of a newly isolated phage (i.e. phage LAPAZ, vB_KpnD-LAPAZ), its antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and potential synergistic interactions with antibiotics. LAPAZ belongs to the family Drexlerviridae (genus: Webervirus) and lysed 30 % of tested strains, whereby four distinct capsular types can be infected. The genome consists of 51,689 bp and encodes 84 ORFs. The latent period is 30 min with an average burst size of 27 PFU/cell. Long-term storage experiments show that LAPAZ is significantly more stable in wastewater compared to laboratory media. A phage titre of 90 % persists up to 30 min at 50 ˚C and entire phage loss was seen only at temperatures > 66 ˚C. Besides stability against UV-C, antibacterial activity in liquid culture medium was consistent at pH values ranging from 4 to 10. Unlike exposure to phage or antibiotic alone, synergistic interactions and a complete bacterial eradication was achieved when combining LAPAZ with meropenem. In addition, synergism with the co-presence of ciprofloxacin was observed and phage resistance emergence could be delayed. Without co-addition of the antibiotic, phage resistant mutants readily emerged and showed a mixed pattern of drug sensitivity alterations. Around 88 % became less sensitive towards ceftazidime, meropenem and gentamicin. Conversely, around 44 % showed decreased resistance levels against ciprofloxacin. Whole genome analysis of a phage-resistant mutant with a 16-fold increased sensitivity towards ciprofloxacin revealed one de novo frameshift mutation leading to a gene fusion affecting two transport proteins belonging to the major facilitator-superfamily (MFS). Apparently, this mutation compromises ciprofloxacin efflux efficiency and further studies are warranted to understand how the non-mutated protein might be involved in phage-host adsorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Ziller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Eva Miriam Buhl
- Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alex Krüttgen
- Laboratory Diagnostic Center, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Horz
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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2
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Sonani RR, Esteves NC, Scharf BE, Egelman EH. Cryo-EM structure of flagellotropic bacteriophage Chi. Structure 2024; 32:856-865.e3. [PMID: 38614087 PMCID: PMC11246221 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The flagellotropic bacteriophage χ (Chi) infects bacteria via the flagellar filament. Despite years of study, its structural architecture remains partly characterized. Through cryo-EM, we unveil χ's nearly complete structure, encompassing capsid, neck, tail, and tail tip. While the capsid and tail resemble phage YSD1, the neck and tail tip reveal new proteins and their arrangement. The neck shows a unique conformation of the tail tube protein, forming a socket-like structure for attachment to the neck. The tail tip comprises four proteins, including distal tail protein (DTP), two baseplate hub proteins (BH1P and BH2P), and tail tip assembly protein (TAP) exhibiting minimal organization compared to other siphophages. Deviating from the consensus in other siphophages, DTP in χ forms a trimeric assembly, reducing tail symmetry from 6-fold to 3-fold at the tip. These findings illuminate the previously unexplored structural organization of χ's neck and tail tip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi R Sonani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | | | - Birgit E Scharf
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Edward H Egelman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
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3
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González-Gómez JP, Rodríguez-Arellano SN, Gomez-Gil B, Vergara-Jiménez MDJ, Chaidez C. Genomic and biological characterization of bacteriophages against Enterobacter cloacae, a high-priority pathogen. Virology 2024; 595:110100. [PMID: 38714025 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Enterobacter cloacae is a clinically significant pathogen due to its multi-resistance to antibiotics, presenting a challenge in the treatment of infections. As concerns over antibiotic resistance escalate, novel therapeutic approaches have been explored. Bacteriophages, characterized by their remarkable specificity and ability to self-replicate within target bacteria, are emerging as a promising alternative therapy. In this study, we isolated and partially characterized nine lytic bacteriophages targeting E. cloacae, with two selected for comprehensive genomic analysis based on their host range and bacteriolytic activity. All identified phages exhibited a narrow host range, demonstrated stability within a temperature range of 30-60 °C, displayed pH tolerance from 3 to 10, and showed an excellent bacteriolytic capacity for up to 18 h. Notably, the fully characterized phage genomes revealed an absence of lysogenic, virulence, or antibiotic-resistance genes, positioning them as promising candidates for therapeutic intervention against E. cloacae-related diseases. Nonetheless, translating this knowledge into practical therapeutic applications mandates a deeper understanding of bacteriophage interactions within complex biological environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Pierre González-Gómez
- Laboratorio Nacional para la Investigación en Inocuidad Alimentaria (LANIIA), Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Carretera a Eldorado km 5.5, Campo El Diez, 80110, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Bruno Gomez-Gil
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, AP 711, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Cristobal Chaidez
- Laboratorio Nacional para la Investigación en Inocuidad Alimentaria (LANIIA), Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Carretera a Eldorado km 5.5, Campo El Diez, 80110, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
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4
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Saqr E, Sadik MW, El-Didamony G, Askora A. Analysis of a new phage, KZag1, infecting biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae: genome sequence and characterization. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:211. [PMID: 38877452 PMCID: PMC11179266 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03355-9] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigates the effectiveness of the bacteriophage KZag1 against drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, aiming to assess its potential as a therapeutic agent. The novelty lies in the characterization of KZag1, a Myovirus with specific efficacy against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. This highlights the significance of exploring alternative strategies, particularly phage therapy, in addressing biofilm-associated infections. METHODS KZag1, characterized by a typical Myovirus structure with a 75 ± 5 nm diameter icosahedral head and a 15 ± 5 nm short tail, was evaluated in experimental trials against 15 strains of K. pneumoniae. The infection cycle duration was determined to be 50 min, resulting in an estimated burst size of approximately 83 plaque-forming units per colony-forming unit (PFU/CFU). Stability assessments were conducted within a pH range of 4 to 12 and temperatures ranging from 45°C to 60°C. Biofilm biomass reduction was observed, particularly at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10. RESULTS KZag1 demonstrated infection efficacy against 12 out of 15 tested K. pneumoniae strains. The phage exhibited stability across a broad pH range and at elevated temperatures. Notably, treatment with KZag1 significantly reduced K. pneumoniae biofilm biomass, emphasizing its potential in combating biofilm formation. Genomic analysis revealed a complete genome of 157,089 base pairs with a GC content of 46.38%, encompassing 203 open reading frames (ORFs) and a cysteine-specific tRNA sequence. Comparison with phage GP4 highlighted similarities, with KZag1 having a longer genome by approximately 4829 base pairs and a higher GC content by approximately 0.93%. Phylogenetic analysis classified KZag1 within the Myoviridae family. CONCLUSION The efficacy of KZag1 against K. pneumoniae biofilm suggests its potential as a therapeutic candidate, especially for drug-resistant infections. Further clinical research is warranted to explore its synergy with other treatments, elucidate genomic traits, compare with Myoviridae phages, and understand its host interactions. These findings underscore the promising role of KZag1 in addressing drug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebtsam Saqr
- Department of Microbiology and Botany, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud W Sadik
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Gamal El-Didamony
- Department of Microbiology and Botany, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Askora
- Department of Microbiology and Botany, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt.
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Liu Y, Yao Z, Mao Z, Tang M, Chen H, Qian C, Zeng W, Zhou T, Wu Q. Quorum sensing gene lasR promotes phage vB_Pae_PLY infection in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:207. [PMID: 38858621 PMCID: PMC11163716 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03349-7] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell density-based intercellular communication system that controls virulence gene expression and biofilm formation. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), the LasR system sits at the top of the QS hierarchy and coordinates the expression of a series of important traits. However, the role of lasR in phage infection remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of lasR QS in phage infection. METHODS The P. aeruginosa phage was isolated from sewage, and its biological characteristics and whole genome were analyzed. The adsorption receptor was identified via a phage adsorption assay. Following lasR gene knockout, the adsorption rate and bactericidal activity of phage were analyzed. Finally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to explore how lasR promoting phage infection. RESULTS The lytic phage vB_Pae_PLY was isolated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was identified as its adsorption receptor. The adsorption rate and bactericidal activity of vB_Pae_PLY were reduced after lasR knockout. RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of galU, a key gene involved in LPS synthesis, was down-regulated, and several genes related to type IV pili (T4P) were also down-regulated in the lasR mutant PaΔlasR. CONCLUSIONS The study showed that QS lasR may promote phage vB_Pae_PLY infection by involving in the synthesis of LPS and T4P. This study provides an example of QS in promoting phage infection and deepens the understanding of phage-bacteria interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhuocheng Yao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhenzhi Mao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Miran Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Huanchang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Changrui Qian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Weiliang Zeng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
| | - Qing Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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Gao Y, Zhong Z, Zhang D, Zhang J, Li YX. Exploring the roles of ribosomal peptides in prokaryote-phage interactions through deep learning-enabled metagenome mining. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:94. [PMID: 38790030 PMCID: PMC11118758 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01807-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbial secondary metabolites play a crucial role in the intricate interactions within the natural environment. Among these metabolites, ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are becoming a promising source of therapeutic agents due to their structural diversity and functional versatility. However, their biosynthetic capacity and ecological functions remain largely underexplored. RESULTS Here, we aim to explore the biosynthetic profile of RiPPs and their potential roles in the interactions between microbes and viruses in the ocean, which encompasses a vast diversity of unique biomes that are rich in interactions and remains chemically underexplored. We first developed TrRiPP to identify RiPPs from ocean metagenomes, a deep learning method that detects RiPP precursors in a hallmark gene-independent manner to overcome the limitations of classic methods in processing highly fragmented metagenomic data. Applying this method to metagenomes from the global ocean microbiome, we uncover a diverse array of previously uncharacterized putative RiPP families with great novelty and diversity. Through correlation analysis based on metatranscriptomic data, we observed a high prevalence of antiphage defense-related and phage-related protein families that were co-expressed with RiPP families. Based on this putative association between RiPPs and phage infection, we constructed an Ocean Virus Database (OVD) and established a RiPP-involving host-phage interaction network through host prediction and co-expression analysis, revealing complex connectivities linking RiPP-encoding prokaryotes, RiPP families, viral protein families, and phages. These findings highlight the potential of RiPP families involved in prokaryote-phage interactions and coevolution, providing insights into their ecological functions in the ocean microbiome. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a systematic investigation of the biosynthetic potential of RiPPs from the ocean microbiome at a global scale, shedding light on the essential insights into the ecological functions of RiPPs in prokaryote-phage interactions through the integration of deep learning approaches, metatranscriptomic data, and host-phage connectivity. This study serves as a valuable example of exploring the ecological functions of bacterial secondary metabolites, particularly their associations with unexplored microbial interactions. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- CYM305, Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 999077, China
| | - Zheng Zhong
- CYM305, Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 999077, China
| | - Dengwei Zhang
- CYM305, Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 999077, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- CYM305, Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 999077, China
| | - Yong-Xin Li
- CYM305, Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 999077, China.
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7
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Gu Z, Wu K, Wang J. Structural morphing in the viral portal vertex of bacteriophage lambda. J Virol 2024; 98:e0006824. [PMID: 38661364 PMCID: PMC11092355 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00068-24] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The portal protein of tailed bacteriophage plays essential roles in various aspects of capsid assembly, motor assembly, genome packaging, connector formation, and infection processes. After DNA packaging is complete, additional proteins are assembled onto the portal to form the connector complex, which is crucial as it bridges the mature head and tail. In this study, we report high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the portal vertex from bacteriophage lambda in both its prohead and mature virion states. Comparison of these structures shows that during head maturation, in addition to capsid expansion, the portal protein undergoes conformational changes to establish interactions with the connector proteins. Additionally, the independently assembled tail undergoes morphological alterations at its proximal end, facilitating its connection to the head-tail joining protein and resulting in the formation of a stable portal-connector-tail complex. The B-DNA molecule spirally glides through the tube, interacting with the nozzle blade region of the middle-ring connector protein. These insights elucidate a mechanism for portal maturation and DNA translocation within the phage lambda system. IMPORTANCE The tailed bacteriophages possess a distinct portal vertex that consists of a ring of 12 portal proteins associated with a 5-fold capsid shell. This portal protein is crucial in multiple stages of virus assembly and infection. Our research focused on examining the structures of the portal vertex in both its preliminary prohead state and the fully mature virion state of bacteriophage lambda. By analyzing these structures, we were able to understand how the portal protein undergoes conformational changes during maturation, the mechanism by which it prevents DNA from escaping, and the process of DNA spirally gliding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Kexun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Gulati P, Singh A, Patra S, Bhat S, Verma A. Restriction modification systems in archaea: A panoramic outlook. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27382. [PMID: 38644887 PMCID: PMC11033074 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Restriction modification (RM) systems are one of the ubiquitous yet primitive defense responses employed by bacteria and archaea with the primary role of safeguarding themselves against invading bacteriophages. Protection of the host occurs by the cleavage of the invading foreign DNA via restriction endonucleases with concomitant methylation of host DNA with the aid of a methyltransferase counterpart. RM systems have been extensively studied in bacteria, however, in the case of archaea there are limited reports of RM enzymes that are investigated to date owing to their inhospitable growth demands. This review aims to broaden the knowledge about what is known about the diversity of RM systems in archaea and encapsulate the current knowledge on restriction and modification enzymes characterized in archaea so far and the role of RM systems in the milieu of archaeal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Gulati
- Department of Microbiology, Ram Lal Anand College, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Ashish Singh
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Sandeep Patra
- Department of Microbiology, Ram Lal Anand College, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Shreyas Bhat
- Department of Microbiology, Ram Lal Anand College, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Anil Verma
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA-15213, USA
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Du S, Wu Y, Ying H, Wu Z, Yang M, Chen F, Shao J, Liu H, Zhang Z, Zhao Y. Genome sequences of the first Autographiviridae phages infecting marine Roseobacter. Microb Genom 2024; 10. [PMID: 38630615 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous and abundant marine phages play critical roles in shaping the composition and function of bacterial communities, impacting biogeochemical cycling in marine ecosystems. Autographiviridae is among the most abundant and ubiquitous phage families in the ocean. However, studies on the diversity and ecology of Autographiviridae phages in marine environments are restricted to isolates that infect SAR11 bacteria and cyanobacteria. In this study, ten new roseophages that infect marine Roseobacter strains were isolated from coastal waters. These new roseophages have a genome size ranging from 38 917 to 42 634 bp and G+C content of 44.6-50 %. Comparative genomics showed that they are similar to known Autographiviridae phages regarding gene content and architecture, thus representing the first Autographiviridae roseophages. Phylogenomic analysis based on concatenated conserved genes showed that the ten roseophages form three distinct subgroups within the Autographiviridae, and sequence analysis revealed that they belong to eight new genera. Finally, viromic read-mapping showed that these new Autographiviridae phages are widely distributed in global oceans, mostly inhabiting polar and estuarine locations. This study has expanded the current understanding of the genomic diversity, evolution and ecology of Autographiviridae phages and roseophages. We suggest that Autographiviridae phages play important roles in the mortality and community structure of roseobacters, and have broad ecological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Du
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Ying Wu
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Hanqi Ying
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Zuqing Wu
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Mingyu Yang
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Feng Chen
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jiabing Shao
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - He Liu
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Zefeng Zhang
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Yanlin Zhao
- College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, PR China
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10
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Kelishomi FZ, Nikkhahi F, Amereh S, Ghayyaz F, Marashi SMA, Javadi A, Shahbazi G, Khakpour M. Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of a novel bacteriophage in the healing process of infected wounds with Klebsiella pneumoniae in mice. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2024; 36:371-378. [PMID: 38307250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bacterial wound infections have recently become a threat to public health. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae highlights the need for a new treatment method. The effectiveness of bacteriophages has been observed for several infections in animal models and human trials. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of bacteriophages in the treatment of wound infections associated with MDR and biofilm-producing K. pneumoniae and compared its effectiveness with that of gentamicin. METHODS A lytic phage against MDR K. pneumoniae was isolated and identified. The effectiveness of phages in the treatment of wound infection in mice was investigated and its effectiveness was compared with gentamicin. RESULTS The results showed that the isolated phage belonged to the Drexlerviridae family. This phage acts like gentamicin and effectively eliminates bacteria from wounds. In addition, mice in the phage therapy group were in better physical condition. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated the success of phage therapy in the treatment of mice wounds infected with K. pneumoniae. These results indicate the feasibility of topical phage therapy for the safe treatment of wound infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farhad Nikkhahi
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
| | - Samira Amereh
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghayyaz
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | | | - Amir Javadi
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Gholamhassan Shahbazi
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Khakpour
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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11
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Nazir A, Li L, Li F, Tong Y, Liu Y, Chen Y. Characterization, taxonomic classification, and genomic analysis of two newly isolated bacteriophages with potential to infect Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0223023. [PMID: 38376266 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02230-23] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a pathogenic bacterium that is widely distributed and can lead to serious illnesses in both humans and animals. As there is rising incidence of multidrug resistance among these bacteria, it has become imperative to discover alternative therapies beyond antibiotics to effectively treat such infections. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has the potential to treat infections caused by E. coli, as phages contain enzymes that can cause lysis or destruction of bacterial cells. Simultaneously, the easy accessibility and cost-effectiveness of next-generation sequencing technologies have led to the accumulation of a vast amount of phage sequence data. Here, phages IME177 and IME267 were isolated from sewage water of a hospital in China. Modern phylogenetic approaches and key findings from the genomic analysis revealed that phages IME177 and IME267 are classified as members of the Kayfunavirus genus, Autographiviridae family, and a newly proposed Suseptimavirus genus under subfamily Gordonclarkvirinae, respectively. Further, the Kuravirus genus reshaped into three different genera: Kuravirus, Nieuwekanaalvirus, and Suspeptimavirus, which are classified together under a higher taxonomic rank (subfamily) named Gordonclarkvirinae. No genes related to virulence were detected in the genomes of the phages IME177 and IME267. Both phages exhibited a high degree of resilience to a wide range of conditions, including pH, temperature, exposure to chloroform, and UV radiation. Phages IME177 and IME267 are promising biological agents that can infect E. coli, making them suitable candidates for use in phage therapies.IMPORTANCEBiological and taxonomic characterization of phages is essential for facilitating the development of effective strategies for phage therapy and disease control. Escherichia coli phages are incredibly diverse, and their isolation and classification help us understand the scope and nature of this diversity. By identifying new phages and grouping them into families, we can better understand the genetic and structural variations between phages and how they affect their infectivity and interactions with bacteria. Overall, the isolation and classification of E. coli phages have broad implications for both basic and applied research, clinical practice, and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Nazir
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, China-UK Joint Laboratory of Bacteriophage Engineering, Jinan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lulu Li
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, China-UK Joint Laboratory of Bacteriophage Engineering, Jinan, China
| | - Fei Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, China-UK Joint Laboratory of Bacteriophage Engineering, Jinan, China
| | - Yibao Chen
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, China-UK Joint Laboratory of Bacteriophage Engineering, Jinan, China
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12
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Wang C, Duan J, Gu Z, Ge X, Zeng J, Wang J. Architecture of the bacteriophage lambda tail. Structure 2024; 32:35-46.e3. [PMID: 37918400 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophage lambda has a double-stranded DNA genome and a long, flexible, non-contractile tail encoded by a contiguous block of 11 genes downstream of the head genes. The tail allows host recognition and delivery of viral DNA from the head shell to the cytoplasm of the infected cell. Here, we present a high-resolution structure of the tail complex of bacteriophage lambda determined by cryoelectron microscopy. Most component proteins of the lambda tail were determined at the atomic scale. The structure sheds light on the molecular organization of the extensively studied tail of bacteriophage lambda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Jinsong Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofei Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Jianwei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China.
| | - Jiawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China.
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13
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Fang C, Dai X, Xiang L, Qiu Y, Yin M, Fu Y, Li Y, Zhang L. Isolation and characterization of three novel lytic phages against K54 serotype carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1265011. [PMID: 38149011 PMCID: PMC10749971 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1265011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) has driven us to explore alternative treatments for the limitation of antimicrobial agents. Lytic phages are considered a promising alternative treatment for CR-hvKP infection. In this study, we reported three novel lytic phages, vB_KpnA_SCNJ1-Z, vB_KpnS_SCNJ1-C, and vB_KpnM_SCNJ1-Y, against a CR-hvKP strain SCNJ1, and they possess genomes of double-stranded DNA with a size of 43,428 bp, 46,039 bp, and 50,360 bp, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that vB_KpnA_SCNJ1-Z belongs to the family Autographiviridae within the class Caudoviricetes, while vB_KpnS_SCNJ1-C and vB_KpnM_SCNJ1-Y are unclassified Caudoviricetes. The phages showed a narrow host range only lysing 1 of 50 tested clinical bacterial strains. The one-step growth curves and stability results showed that the phages displayed relatively short latency periods, with broad pH (pH 3-14) and thermal stabilities (20-60°C). The phages showed significant inhibition of the biofilm formation by SCNJ1 and strong antibacterial activity in vitro. In the mouse model, we demonstrated that administration of a single phage or phage cocktail significantly reduced bacteria loads in the lung, liver, and spleen, and effectively rescued mice from the infection of the SCNJ1 strain, with a survival rate of 70-80%. These findings suggested the three phages have great potential as an alternative therapy with favorable stability and strong antibacterial activity both in vivo and in vitro for the treatment of CR-hvKP infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ying Li
- The School of Basic Medical Science and Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Luhua Zhang
- The School of Basic Medical Science and Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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14
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das Neves Costa LCP, Siqueira JAM, Teixeira DM, da Piedade GJL, Júnior ECS, Ferreira JL, da Silva LD, Gabbay YB. Circulation of adenovirus and other viruses in urban drainage channels: an environmental surveillance in Belém, Amazon region, Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:2939-2949. [PMID: 37747624 PMCID: PMC10689653 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01125-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Urban channels in amazon cities are very polluted, with garbage and sewage disposal in these aquatic environments, favoring the high dissemination of waterborne viruses such as human adenovirus (HAdV). The aim of this study was to perform the detection and molecular characterization of adenovirus in urban channels and in a wastewater treatment plant located in a metropolitan city in the Amazon. Additionally, metagenomic analyses were performed to assess viral diversity. Samples were concentrated by organic flocculation, analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and sequenced (Sanger e next generation sequencing). Cell culture was performed to verify the viability of HAdV particles. A total of 104 samples were collected, being the HAdV positivity of 76% (79/104). Among the positive samples, 29.1% (23/79) were characterized as HAdV-F40 (87%, 20/23), HAdV-F41 (8.7%, 2/23), and HAdV-B (4.3%, 1/23). Average precipitation rates ranged from 163 to 614 mm, while the pH ranged from 6.9 to 7.6. Eight positive samples were inoculated into A549 cells and in 4 of these, was observed changes in the structure of the cell monolayer, alteration in the structure of the cell monolayer was observed, but without amplification when analyzed by PCR. The metagenomic data demonstrated the presence of 14 viral families, being the most abundant: Myoviridae (41% of available reads), Siphoviridae (24.5%), Podoviridae (14.1%), and Autographiviridae (6.9%) with more than 85% of the total number of identified reads. This study reinforcing that continuous surveillance may contribute to monitoring viral diversity in aquatic environments and provide early warning of potential outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jones Anderson Monteiro Siqueira
- Virology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
| | - Dielle Monteiro Teixeira
- Virology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Junior Leite da Piedade
- Postgraduate Program in Virology, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
| | - Edivaldo Costa Sousa Júnior
- Virology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
| | - James Lima Ferreira
- Virology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
| | - Luciana Damascena da Silva
- Virology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
| | - Yvone Benchimol Gabbay
- Virology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
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15
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Wu R, Davison MR, Nelson WC, Smith ML, Lipton MS, Jansson JK, McClure RS, McDermott JE, Hofmockel KS. Hi-C metagenome sequencing reveals soil phage-host interactions. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7666. [PMID: 37996432 PMCID: PMC10667309 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42967-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are abundant in soils. However, the majority are uncharacterized, and their hosts are unknown. Here, we apply high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) to directly capture phage-host relationships. Some hosts have high centralities in bacterial community co-occurrence networks, suggesting phage infections have an important impact on the soil bacterial community interactions. We observe increased average viral copies per host (VPH) and decreased viral transcriptional activity following a two-week soil-drying incubation, indicating an increase in lysogenic infections. Soil drying also alters the observed phage host range. A significant negative correlation between VPH and host abundance prior to drying indicates more lytic infections result in more host death and inversely influence host abundance. This study provides empirical evidence of phage-mediated bacterial population dynamics in soil by directly capturing specific phage-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Wu
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Michelle R Davison
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - William C Nelson
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Montana L Smith
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Mary S Lipton
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Janet K Jansson
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Ryan S McClure
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Jason E McDermott
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kirsten S Hofmockel
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA.
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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16
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Smith KR, Bumunang EW, Schlechte J, Waldner M, Anany H, Walker M, MacLean K, Stanford K, Fairbrother JM, Alexander TW, McAllister TA, Abdul-Careem MF, Niu YD. The Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophages Infecting Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli O1, O2 and O78 Strains. Viruses 2023; 15:2095. [PMID: 37896873 PMCID: PMC10612097 DOI: 10.3390/v15102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), such as O1, O2 and O78, are important serogroups relating to chicken health, being responsible for colibacillosis. In this study, we isolated and characterized bacteriophages (phages) from hen feces and human sewage in Alberta with the potential for controlling colibacillosis in laying hens. The lytic profile, host range, pH tolerance and morphology of seven APEC-infecting phages (ASO1A, ASO1B, ASO2A, ASO78A, ASO2B, AVIO78A and ASO78B) were assessed using a microplate phage virulence assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The potential safety of phages at the genome level was predicted using AMRFinderPlus and the Virulence Factor Database. Finally, phage genera and genetic relatedness with other known phages from the NCBI GenBank database were inferred using the virus intergenomic distance calculator and single gene-based phylogenetic trees. The seven APEC-infecting phages preferentially lysed APEC strains in this study, with ECL21443 (O2) being the most susceptible to phages (n = 5). ASO78A had the broadest host range, lysing all tested strains (n = 5) except ECL20885 (O1). Phages were viable at a pH of 2.5 or 3.5-9.0 after 4 h of incubation. Based on TEM, phages were classed as myovirus, siphovirus and podovirus. No genes associated with virulence, antimicrobial resistance or lysogeny were detected in phage genomes. Comparative genomic analysis placed six of the seven phages in five genera: Felixounavirus (ASO1A and ASO1B), Phapecoctavirus (ASO2A), Tequatrovirus (ASO78A), Kayfunavirus (ASO2B) and Sashavirus (AVIO78A). Based on the nucleotide intergenomic similarity (<70%), phage ASO78B was not assigned a genus in the siphovirus and could represent a new genus in class Caudoviricetes. The tail fiber protein phylogeny revealed variations within APEC-infecting phages and closely related phages. Diverse APEC-infecting phages harbored in the environment demonstrate the potential to control colibacillosis in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kat R. Smith
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (K.R.S.); (J.S.); (M.W.); (K.M.); (M.F.A.-C.)
| | - Emmanuel W. Bumunang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (E.W.B.); (T.W.A.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Jared Schlechte
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (K.R.S.); (J.S.); (M.W.); (K.M.); (M.F.A.-C.)
| | - Matthew Waldner
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (K.R.S.); (J.S.); (M.W.); (K.M.); (M.F.A.-C.)
| | - Hany Anany
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph Research and Development Centre, Guelph, ON N1G 5C9, Canada;
| | - Matthew Walker
- Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada;
| | - Kellie MacLean
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (K.R.S.); (J.S.); (M.W.); (K.M.); (M.F.A.-C.)
| | - Kim Stanford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1M4, Canada;
| | - John M. Fairbrother
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
| | - Trevor W. Alexander
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (E.W.B.); (T.W.A.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Tim A. McAllister
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (E.W.B.); (T.W.A.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Mohamed Faizal Abdul-Careem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (K.R.S.); (J.S.); (M.W.); (K.M.); (M.F.A.-C.)
| | - Yan D. Niu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (K.R.S.); (J.S.); (M.W.); (K.M.); (M.F.A.-C.)
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17
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Cai H, Zhou Y, Li X, Xu T, Ni Y, Wu S, Yu Y, Wang Y. Genomic Analysis and Taxonomic Characterization of Seven Bacteriophage Genomes Metagenomic-Assembled from the Dishui Lake. Viruses 2023; 15:2038. [PMID: 37896815 PMCID: PMC10611076 DOI: 10.3390/v15102038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses in aquatic ecosystems exhibit remarkable abundance and diversity. However, scattered studies have been conducted to mine uncultured viruses and identify them taxonomically in lake water. Here, whole genomes (29-173 kbp) of seven uncultured dsDNA bacteriophages were discovered in Dishui Lake, the largest artificial lake in Shanghai. We analyzed their genomic signatures and found a series of viral auxiliary metabolic genes closely associated with protein synthesis and host metabolism. Dishui Lake phages shared more genes with uncultivated environmental viruses than with reference viruses based on the gene-sharing network classification. Phylogeny of proteomes and comparative genomics delineated three new genera within two known viral families of Kyanoviridae and Autographiviridae, and four new families in Caudoviricetes for these seven novel phages. Their potential hosts appeared to be from the dominant bacterial phyla in Dishui Lake. Altogether, our study provides initial insights into the composition and diversity of bacteriophage communities in Dishui Lake, contributing valuable knowledge to the ongoing research on the roles played by viruses in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyun Cai
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yifan Zhou
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Xiefei Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Tianqi Xu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yimin Ni
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Shuang Wu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yongxin Yu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yongjie Wang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.C.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (T.X.); (Y.N.); (S.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266000, China
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai 201306, China
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18
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Sonani RR, Esteves NC, Horton AA, Kelly RJ, Sebastian AL, Wang F, Kreutzberger MAB, Leiman PG, Scharf BE, Egelman EH. Neck and capsid architecture of the robust Agrobacterium phage Milano. Commun Biol 2023; 6:921. [PMID: 37684529 PMCID: PMC10491603 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05292-1] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Large gaps exist in our understanding of how bacteriophages, the most abundant biological entities on Earth, assemble and function. The structure of the "neck" region, where the DNA-filled capsid is connected to the host-recognizing tail remains poorly understood. We describe cryo-EM structures of the neck, the neck-capsid and neck-tail junctions, and capsid of the Agrobacterium phage Milano. The Milano neck 1 protein connects the 12-fold symmetrical neck to a 5-fold vertex of the icosahedral capsid. Comparison of Milano neck 1 homologs leads to four proposed classes, likely evolved from the simplest one in siphophages to more complex ones in myo- and podophages. Milano neck is surrounded by the atypical collar, which covalently crosslinks the tail sheath to neck 1. The Milano capsid is decorated with three types of proteins, a minor capsid protein (mCP) and two linking proteins crosslinking the mCP to the major capsid protein. The extensive network of disulfide bonds within and between neck, collar, capsid and tail provides an exceptional structural stability to Milano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi R Sonani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Nathaniel C Esteves
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Abigail A Horton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Rebecca J Kelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Amanda L Sebastian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Fengbin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Mark A B Kreutzberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Petr G Leiman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Birgit E Scharf
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Edward H Egelman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
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19
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da Silva JD, Bens L, Santos AJDC, Lavigne R, Soares J, Melo LDR, Vallino M, Dias RS, Drulis-Kawa Z, de Paula SO, Wagemans J. Isolation and Characterization of the Acadevirus Members BigMira and MidiMira Infecting a Highly Pathogenic Proteus mirabilis Strain. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2141. [PMID: 37763984 PMCID: PMC10537623 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092141] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic pathogen and is responsible for more than 40% of all cases of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Healthcare-associated infections have been aggravated by the constant emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Because of this, the use of phages to combat bacterial infections gained renewed interest. In this study, we describe the biological and genomic features of two P. mirabilis phages, named BigMira and MidiMira. These phages belong to the Acadevirus genus (family Autographiviridae). BigMira and MidiMira are highly similar, differing only in four missense mutations in their phage tail fiber. These mutations are sufficient to impact the phages' depolymerase activity. Subsequently, the comparative genomic analysis of ten clinical P. mirabilis strains revealed differences in their antibiotic resistance profiles and lipopolysaccharide locus, with the latter potentially explaining the host range data of the phages. The massive presence of antimicrobial resistance genes, especially in the phages' isolation strain P. mirabilis MCS, highlights the challenges in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. The findings reinforce BigMira and MidiMira phages as candidates for phage therapy purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Duarte da Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
| | - Lene Bens
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.B.); (R.L.)
| | - Adriele J. do Carmo Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.B.); (R.L.)
| | - José Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Marta Vallino
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council of Italy, 10135 Torino, Italy;
| | - Roberto Sousa Dias
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil;
| | - Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, University of Wroclaw, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Sérgio Oliveira de Paula
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil;
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.B.); (R.L.)
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20
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Chen C, Tao Z, Li T, Chen H, Zhao Y, Sun X. Isolation and characterization of novel bacteriophage vB_KpP_HS106 for Klebsiella pneumonia K2 and applications in foods. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1227147. [PMID: 37655345 PMCID: PMC10466807 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1227147] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The detection rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae in food is increasing, and it has emerged as a food pathogen. Global health is threatened due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and hypervirulent (hv) K. pneumoniae. Phages have a promising application as antibacterial agents and have the ability to lyse MDR strains. Hence, phage vB_KpP_HS106 against MDR-hv K. pneumoniae strains was isolated from sewage collected from a hospital. It can maintain stable activity at a pH range of 4-12 and a temperature range of 4°C to 50°C. The maximum adsorption rate of phage HS106 was found to be approximately 84.2% at 6 min. One-step growth curve analysis showed that the latent period of HS106 was 10 min and the burst size was approximately 183 PFU/cell. Furthermore, whole genome analysis indicated that the genome of phage HS106 was a double-stranded linear 76,430-bp long DNA molecule with 44% GC content. A total of 95 open reading frames were annotated in the HS106 genome, which did not contain any virulence genes or antibiotic resistance genes. Phage HS106 reduced MDR K. pneumoniae in milk by approximately 1.6 log10 CFU/mL at 25°C and in chicken by approximately 2 log10 CFU/cm3 at 25°C. Therefore, vB_KpP_HS106 is a promising alternative to antibiotics for biocontrol against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changrong Chen
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenxiang Tao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tengteng Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Chen
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing and Preservation, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Sun
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing and Preservation, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
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de Sousa DM, Janssen L, Rosa RB, Belmok A, Yamada JK, Corrêa RFT, de Souza Andrade M, Inoue-Nagata AK, Ribeiro BM, de Carvalho Pontes N. Isolation, characterization, and evaluation of putative new bacteriophages for controlling bacterial spot on tomato in Brazil. Arch Virol 2023; 168:222. [PMID: 37548749 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial spot is a highly damaging tomato disease caused by members of several species of the genus Xanthomonas. Bacteriophages have been studied for their potential use in the biological control of bacterial diseases. In the current study, bacteriophages were obtained from soil and tomato leaves in commercial fields in Brazil with the aim of obtaining biological control agents against bacterial spot. Phage isolation was carried out by co-cultivation with isolates of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans, which was prevalent in the collection areas. In a host range evaluation, none of the phage isolates was able to induce a lytic cycle in all of the bacterial isolates tested. In in vivo tests, treatment of susceptible bacterial isolates with the corresponding phage prior to application to tomato plants led to a reduction in the severity of the resulting disease. The level of disease control provided by phage application was equal to or greater than that achieved using copper hydroxide. Electron microscopy analysis showed that all of the phages had similar morphology, with head and tail structures similar to those of viruses belonging to the class Caudoviricetes. The presence of short, non-contractile tubular tails strongly suggested that these phages belong to the family Autographiviridae. This was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis, which further revealed that they all belong to the genus Pradovirus. The phages described here are closely related to each other and potentially belong to a new species within the genus. These phages will be evaluated in future studies against other tomato xanthomonad strains to assess their potential as biological control agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayane Maria de Sousa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Olericultura, Instituto Federal Goiano (IF Goiano), Morrinhos, GO, Brazil
| | - Luis Janssen
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Raphael Barboza Rosa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Olericultura, Instituto Federal Goiano (IF Goiano), Morrinhos, GO, Brazil
| | - Aline Belmok
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Kiyomi Yamada
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Olericultura, Instituto Federal Goiano (IF Goiano), Morrinhos, GO, Brazil
| | - Roberto Franco Teixeira Corrêa
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Miguel de Souza Andrade
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Bergmann Morais Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Nadson de Carvalho Pontes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Olericultura, Instituto Federal Goiano (IF Goiano), Morrinhos, GO, Brazil.
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22
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Alves MK, de Souza WV, Novello JCDL, Sillankorva S, Labre C, Sommer RL, Henriques JAP, Ely MR. Complete genome sequence of a novel bacteriophage vB_Pci_PCMW57 infecting phytobacteria pseudomonas cichorii. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:7105-7111. [PMID: 37326748 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08552-9] [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: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel virulent bacteriophage infecting phytobacteria Pseudomonas cichorii (P. cichorii) was isolated from leafy vegetables in Brazil. P. cichorii is a Gram-negative soil phytobacterium, the causal agent of a number of economically important plant diseases worldwide. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, a new phage specific for P. cichorii was isolated from solid samples (lettuce, chicory and cabbage), designated vB_Pci_PCMW57. Electron microscopy revealed a small virion (~ 50-nm-diameter icosahedral capsid) with a short, non-contractile tail. The genome of vB_Pci_PCMW57 is 40,117 bp in size, with a GC content of 57.6% and encodes 49 open reading frames. The phage is genetically similar to P. syringae phages Pst_GM1 and Pst_GIL1, and the P. fluorescens phages WRT and KNP. According to electron microscopy and whole-genome sequence analysis, vB_Pci_PCMW57 should be classified as a Caudoviticetes, family Autographiviridae, subfamily Studiervirinae. CONCLUSIONS The complete phage genome was annotated, and the sequence identity of the virus with other Pseudomonas viruses was higher than 95%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a bacteriophage infecting Pseudomonas cichorii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Keller Alves
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Sanna Sillankorva
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, Braga, 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Cilene Labre
- Applied Magnetism Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Physics, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rubem Luís Sommer
- Applied Magnetism Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Physics, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Roesch Ely
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil
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23
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Meneses L, Brandão AC, Coenye T, Braga AC, Pires DP, Azeredo J. A systematic review of the use of bacteriophages for in vitro biofilm control. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023:10.1007/s10096-023-04638-1. [PMID: 37407800 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04638-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are very promising biological agents for the prevention and control of bacterial biofilms. However, little is known about the parameters that can influence the efficacy of phages on biofilms. This systematic review provides a summary and analysis of the published data about the use of phages to control pre-formed biofilms in vitro, suggesting recommendations for future experiments in this area. A total of 68 articles, containing data on 605 experiments addressing the efficacy of phages to control biofilms in vitro were included, after a search conducted in Web of Science, Embase, and Medline (PubMed). The data collected from each experiment included information about biofilm growth conditions, phage characteristics, treatment conditions and biofilm reduction. In most cases, biofilms were formed in the surface of microtiter plates (82.5%); the median time for biofilm formation was 24 h, as is the median treatment duration. Quantification of biofilm biomass (52.6%), viable cells (25.5%) and metabolic activity (17.9%) were the most common biofilm assessment methods. Correlation analysis revealed that some phage parameters can influence the treatment outcome: higher phage concentrations were strongly associated with improved biofilm control, leading to higher levels of biofilm reduction, and phages with higher burst sizes and shorter latent periods seem to be the best candidates to control biofilms in vitro. However, the great variability of the methodologies used prompts the need for the development of standardized in vitro methodologies to characterize phage/biofilm interactions and to assess the efficacy of phages to control biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Meneses
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ana Catarina Brandão
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tom Coenye
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Diana Priscila Pires
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), Basel, Switzerland.
- LABBELS -Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), Basel, Switzerland.
- LABBELS -Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
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24
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Elek CKA, Brown TL, Le Viet T, Evans R, Baker DJ, Telatin A, Tiwari SK, Al-Khanaq H, Thilliez G, Kingsley RA, Hall LJ, Webber MA, Adriaenssens EM. A hybrid and poly-polish workflow for the complete and accurate assembly of phage genomes: a case study of ten przondoviruses. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen001065. [PMID: 37463032 PMCID: PMC10438801 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) within the genus Przondovirus are T7-like podoviruses belonging to the subfamily Studiervirinae, within the family Autographiviridae, and have a highly conserved genome organisation. The genomes of these phages range from 37 to 42 kb in size, encode 50-60 genes and are characterised by the presence of direct terminal repeats (DTRs) flanking the linear chromosome. These DTRs are often deleted during short-read-only and hybrid assemblies. Moreover, long-read-only assemblies are often littered with sequencing and/or assembly errors and require additional curation. Here, we present the isolation and characterisation of ten novel przondoviruses targeting Klebsiella spp. We describe HYPPA, a HYbrid and Poly-polish Phage Assembly workflow, which utilises long-read assemblies in combination with short-read sequencing to resolve phage DTRs and correcting errors, negating the need for laborious primer walking and Sanger sequencing validation. Our assembly workflow utilised Oxford Nanopore Technologies for long-read sequencing for its accessibility, making it the more relevant long-read sequencing technology at this time, and Illumina DNA Prep for short-read sequencing, representing the most commonly used technologies globally. Our data demonstrate the importance of careful curation of phage assemblies before publication, and prior to using them for comparative genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire K. A. Elek
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Teagan L. Brown
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Thanh Le Viet
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Rhiannon Evans
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - David J. Baker
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Andrea Telatin
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Sumeet K. Tiwari
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Haider Al-Khanaq
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Gaëtan Thilliez
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Robert A. Kingsley
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Lindsay J. Hall
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Chair of Intestinal Microbiome, ZIEL—Institute for Food and Health, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Mark A. Webber
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
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25
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Bryan DW, Hudson LK, Wang J, Denes TG. Characterization of a Diverse Collection of Salmonella Phages Isolated from Tennessee Wastewater. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2023; 4:90-98. [PMID: 37350991 PMCID: PMC10282790 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2023.0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Salmonella enterica is one of the most prevalent bacterial foodborne pathogens. Salmonella phages are currently used in biocontrol applications and have potential for use as therapeutics. Materials and Methods Phages were enriched and purified from a diversity of Salmonella host isolates. Morphology was determined with transmission electron microscopy, host ranges were characterized using an efficiency of plaquing assay, and comparative genomic analysis was performed to determine taxonomy. Results Ten phages were isolated and characterized. Phages showed activity against 23 out of the 24 Salmonella serovars evaluated. Two phages also showed activity against Escherichia coli strain B. Phages belonged to five different genera (Ithacavirus, Gelderlandvirus, Kuttervirus, Tlsvirus, and Epseptimavirus), two established species, and eight novel species. Conclusions The phages described here further demonstrate the diversity of S. enterica phages present in wastewater effluent. This work contributes a collection of characterized phages from eastern Tennessee that may be of use in future phage-based applications targeting S. enterica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Bryan
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lauren K. Hudson
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas G. Denes
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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26
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Raeisi H, Noori M, Azimirad M, Mohebbi SR, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Yadegar A, Zali MR. Emerging applications of phage therapy and fecal virome transplantation for treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection: challenges and perspectives. Gut Pathog 2023; 15:21. [PMID: 37161478 PMCID: PMC10169144 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-023-00550-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile, which causes life-threatening diarrheal disease, is considered an urgent threat to healthcare setting worldwide. The current standards of care solely rely on conventional antibiotic treatment, however, there is a risk of promoting recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI) because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Globally, the alarming spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of C. difficile has resulted in a quest for alternative therapeutics. The use of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which involves direct infusion of fecal suspension from a healthy donor into a diseased recipient, has been approved as a highly efficient therapeutic option for patients with rCDI. Bacteriophages or phages are a group of viruses that can infect and destroy bacterial hosts, and are recognized as the dominant viral component of the human gut microbiome. Accumulating data has demonstrated that phages play a vital role in microbial balance of the human gut microbiome. Recently, phage therapy and fecal virome transplantation (FVT) have been introduced as promising alternatives for the treatment of C. difficile -related infections, in particular drug-resistant CDI. Herein, we review the latest updates on C. difficile- specific phages, and phage-mediated treatments, and highlight the current and future prospects of phage therapy in the management of CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Raeisi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Noori
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Azimirad
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mohebbi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Yadegar
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Fayez MS, Hakim TA, Zaki BM, Makky S, Abdelmoteleb M, Essam K, Safwat A, Abdelsattar AS, El-Shibiny A. Morphological, biological, and genomic characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae phage vB_Kpn_ZC2. Virol J 2023; 20:86. [PMID: 37138257 PMCID: PMC10158348 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02034-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacteriophages (phages) are one of the most promising alternatives to traditional antibiotic therapies, especially against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections. Thus, this study aims at the characterization of a novel isolated phage vB_Kpn_ZC2 (ZCKP2, for short). METHODS The phage ZCKP2 was isolated from sewage water by using the clinical isolate KP/08 as a host strain. The isolated bacteriophage was purified and amplified, followed by testing of its molecular weight using Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), transmission electron microscopy, antibacterial activity against a panel of other Klebsiella pneumoniae hosts, stability studies, and whole genome sequencing. RESULTS Phage ZCKP2 belongs morphologically to siphoviruses as indicated from the Transmission Electron Microscopy microgram. The Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis and the phage sequencing estimated the phage genome size of 48.2 kbp. Moreover, the absence of lysogeny-related genes, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence genes in the annotated genome suggests that phage ZCKP2 is safe for therapeutic use. Genome-based taxonomic analysis indicates that phage ZCKP2 represents a new family that has not been formally rated yet. In addition, phage ZCKP2 preserved high stability at different temperatures and pH values (-20 - 70 °C and pH 4 - 9). For the antibacterial activity, phage ZCKP2 maintained consistent clear zones on KP/08 bacteria along with other hosts, in addition to effective bacterial killing over time at different MOIs (0.1, 1, and 10). Also, the genome annotation predicted antibacterial lytic enzymes. Furthermore, the topology of class II holins was predicted in some putative proteins with dual transmembrane domains that contribute significantly to antibacterial activity. Phage ZCKP2 characterization demonstrates safety and efficiency against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae, hence ZCKP2 is a good candidate for further in vivo and phage therapy clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S Fayez
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Toka A Hakim
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Bishoy Maher Zaki
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza, 11787, Egypt
| | - Salsabil Makky
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abdelmoteleb
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Kareem Essam
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Anan Safwat
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Abdallah S Abdelsattar
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt.
- Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish, 45511, Egypt.
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28
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Rodríguez-Lucas C, Ladero V. Enterococcal Phages: Food and Health Applications. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12050842. [PMID: 37237745 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050842] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus is a diverse genus of Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) group. It is found in many environments, including the human gut and fermented foods. This microbial genus is at a crossroad between its beneficial effects and the concerns regarding its safety. It plays an important role in the production of fermented foods, and some strains have even been proposed as probiotics. However, they have been identified as responsible for the accumulation of toxic compounds-biogenic amines-in foods, and over the last 20 years, they have emerged as important hospital-acquired pathogens through the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In food, there is a need for targeted measures to prevent their growth without disturbing other LAB members that participate in the fermentation process. Furthermore, the increase in AMR has resulted in the need for the development of new therapeutic options to treat AMR enterococcal infections. Bacteriophages have re-emerged in recent years as a precision tool for the control of bacterial populations, including the treatment of AMR microorganism infections, being a promising weapon as new antimicrobials. In this review, we focus on the problems caused by Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis in food and health and on the recent advances in the discovery and applications of enterococcus-infecting bacteriophages against these bacteria, with special attention paid to applications against AMR enterococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Rodríguez-Lucas
- Microbiology Laboratory, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Translational Microbiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Victor Ladero
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Dairy Products, Dairy Research Institute, IPLA CSIC, 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
- Molecular Microbiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
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29
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Abstract
Soil viruses are highly abundant and have important roles in the regulation of host dynamics and soil ecology. Climate change is resulting in unprecedented changes to soil ecosystems and the life forms that reside there, including viruses. In this Review, we explore our current understanding of soil viral diversity and ecology, and we discuss how climate change (such as extended and extreme drought events or more flooding and altered precipitation patterns) is influencing soil viruses. Finally, we provide our perspective on future research needs to better understand how climate change will impact soil viral ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet K Jansson
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA.
| | - Ruonan Wu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
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30
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Zaki BM, Mohamed AA, Dawoud A, Essam K, Hammouda ZK, Abdelsattar AS, El-Shibiny A. Isolation, screening and characterization of phage. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 200:13-60. [PMID: 37739553 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance threatens public health due to a lack of novel antibacterial classes since the 21st century. Bacteriophages, the most ubiquitous microorganism on Earth and natural predators of bacteria, have the potential to save the world from the post-antibiotic era. Therefore, phage isolation and characterization are in high demand to find suitable phages for therapeutic and bacterial control applications. The chapter presents brief guidance supported by recommendations on the isolation of phages, and initial screening of phage antimicrobial efficacy, in addition to, conducting comprehensive characterization addressing morphological, biological, genomic, and taxonomic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishoy Maher Zaki
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt; Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt
| | - Amira A Mohamed
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Alyaa Dawoud
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kareem Essam
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Zainab K Hammouda
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt
| | - Abdallah S Abdelsattar
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt; Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish, Egypt
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Transcriptomics-Driven Characterization of LUZ100, a T7-like Pseudomonas Phage with Temperate Features. mSystems 2023; 8:e0118922. [PMID: 36794936 PMCID: PMC10134795 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01189-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autographiviridae is a diverse yet distinct family of bacterial viruses marked by a strictly lytic lifestyle and a generally conserved genome organization. Here, we characterized Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage LUZ100, a distant relative of type phage T7. LUZ100 is a podovirus with a limited host range which likely uses lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a phage receptor. Interestingly, infection dynamics of LUZ100 indicated moderate adsorption rates and low virulence, hinting at temperate characteristics. This hypothesis was supported by genomic analysis, which showed that LUZ100 shares the conventional T7-like genome organization yet carries key genes associated with a temperate lifestyle. To unravel the peculiar characteristics of LUZ100, ONT-cappable-seq transcriptomics analysis was performed. These data provided a bird's-eye view of the LUZ100 transcriptome and enabled the discovery of key regulatory elements, antisense RNA, and transcriptional unit structures. The transcriptional map of LUZ100 also allowed us to identify new RNA polymerase (RNAP)-promoter pairs that can form the basis for biotechnological parts and tools for new synthetic transcription regulation circuitry. The ONT-cappable-seq data revealed that the LUZ100 integrase and a MarR-like regulator (proposed to be involved in the lytic/lysogeny decision) are actively cotranscribed in an operon. In addition, the presence of a phage-specific promoter transcribing the phage-encoded RNA polymerase raises questions on the regulation of this polymerase and suggests that it is interwoven with the MarR-based regulation. This transcriptomics-driven characterization of LUZ100 supports recent evidence that T7-like phages should not automatically be assumed to have a strictly lytic life cycle. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophage T7, considered the "model phage" of the Autographiviridae family, is marked by a strictly lytic life cycle and conserved genome organization. Recently, novel phages within this clade have emerged which display characteristics associated with a temperate life cycle. Screening for temperate behavior is of utmost importance in fields like phage therapy, where strictly lytic phages are generally required for therapeutic applications. In this study, we applied an omics-driven approach to characterize the T7-like Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage LUZ100. These results led to the identification of actively transcribed lysogeny-associated genes in the phage genome, pointing out that temperate T7-like phages are emerging more frequent than initially thought. In short, the combination of genomics and transcriptomics allowed us to obtain a better understanding of the biology of nonmodel Autographiviridae phages, which can be used to optimize the implementation of phages and their regulatory elements in phage therapy and biotechnological applications, respectively.
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Li T, Chen H, Zhao J, Tao Z, Lan W, Zhao Y, Sun X. Characterization of Phage vB_SalM_SPJ41 and the Reduction of Risk of Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella enterica Contamination in Two Ready-to-Eat Foods. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020364. [PMID: 36830275 PMCID: PMC9951933 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica is a major cause of foodborne illness, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led to huge pressures on public health. Phage is a promising strategy for controlling foodborne pathogens. In this study, a novel Salmonella phage vB_SalM_SPJ41 was isolated from poultry farms in Shanghai, China. Phage vB_SalM_SPJ41 was able to lyse multiple serotypes of antibiotic-resistant S. enterica, including S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Shubra, S. Derby, and S. Nchanga. It had a short incubation period and was still active at a temperature <80 °C and in the pH range of 3~11. The phage can effectively inhibit the growth of S. enterica in liquid culture and has a significant inhibitory and destructive effect on the biofilm produced by antibiotic-resistant S. enterica. Moreover, the phage was able to reduce S. Enteritidis and MDR S. Derby in lettuce to below the detection limit at 4 °C. Furthermore, the phage could reduce S. Enteritidis and S. Derby in salmon below the limit of detection at 4 °C, and by 3.9 log10 CFU/g and· 2.1 log10 CFU/g at 15 °C, respectively. In addition, the genomic analysis revealed that the phages did not carry any virulence factor genes or antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, it was found that vB_SalM_SPJ41 is a promising candidate phage for biocontrol against antibiotic-resistant Salmonella in ready-to-eat foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengteng Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Hong Chen
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Jiayi Zhao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhenxiang Tao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Weiqing Lan
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing & Preservation, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing & Preservation, Shanghai 201306, China
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xiaohong Sun
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing & Preservation, Shanghai 201306, China
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-6190-0503; Fax: +86-21-6190-0365
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Isolation, characterization, and complete genome sequence of vibrio phage KIT04, a novel lytic phage of the subfamily ermolyevavirinae. Virology 2023; 579:148-155. [PMID: 36669331 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.01.008] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio phage KIT04 was isolated from muscle tissue samples collected from a local market in Vietnam. KIT04 is a lytic phage that is specific to Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The one-step growth curve determined the burst size and latent period of 0.01 multiplicity of infection KIT04 in V. parahaemolyticus as approximately 156 plaque-forming units/bacterium and 45 min, respectively. Vibrio phage KIT04 has an approximately 76.4 ± 4.5 nm diameter icosahedral head and a tail length of approximately 159.5 ± 16.6 nm long tail. KIT04 significantly reduced V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 in vitro. Complete genome analysis showed that KIT04 had a 114,933 bp dsDNA genome with 40.24% G + C content and 160 open reading frames (ORFs). However, the phage genome contained 24 tRNAs and no lysogeny-related genes. Moreover, five of the 160 ORFs encoded unique hypothetical proteins, indicating that KIT04 is a novel phage. Genomic comparison indicated that KIT04 is closely related to the Vibrio phages pVp-1 and VPT02. Further, phylogenetic analysis of the major tail proteins and whole genome supported the KIT04 classification into the subfamily Ermolyevavirinae. Our study describes a new candidate phage that could be used as a bioagent for controlling Vibrio pathogens.
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Vasquez I, Retamales J, Parra B, Machimbirike V, Robeson J, Santander J. Comparative Genomics of a Polyvalent Escherichia-Salmonella Phage fp01 and In Silico Analysis of Its Receptor Binding Protein and Conserved Enterobacteriaceae Phage Receptor. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020379. [PMID: 36851593 PMCID: PMC9961651 DOI: 10.3390/v15020379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The polyvalent bacteriophage fp01, isolated from wastewater in Valparaiso, Chile, was described to have lytic activity across bacterial species, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovars. Due to its polyvalent nature, the bacteriophage fp01 has potential applications in the biomedical, food and agricultural industries. Also, fundamental aspects of polyvalent bacteriophage biology are unknown. In this study, we sequenced and described the complete genome of the polyvalent phage fp01 (MH745368.2) using long- (MinION, Nanopore) and short-reads (MiSeq, Illumina) sequencing. The bacteriophage fp01 genome has 109,515 bp, double-stranded DNA with an average G+C content of 39%, and 158 coding sequences (CDSs). Phage fp01 has genes with high similarity to Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Shigella sp. phages. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the phage fp01 is a new Tequintavirus fp01 specie. Receptor binding protein gp108 was identified as potentially responsible for fp01 polyvalent characteristics, which binds to conserved amino acid regions of the FhuA receptor of Enterobacteriaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Vasquez
- Marine Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccinology Laboratory, Department of Ocean Science, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Julio Retamales
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de las Américas, Viña del Mar 2520000, Chile
| | - Barbara Parra
- Subdepartment of Molecular Genetics, Public Health Institute of Chile, Santiago 9140000, Chile
| | - Vimbai Machimbirike
- Marine Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccinology Laboratory, Department of Ocean Science, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - James Robeson
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Valparaiso 2370000, Chile
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (J.S.)
| | - Javier Santander
- Marine Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccinology Laboratory, Department of Ocean Science, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (J.S.)
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Zaki BM, Fahmy NA, Aziz RK, Samir R, El-Shibiny A. Characterization and comprehensive genome analysis of novel bacteriophage, vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p, with lytic and anti-biofilm potential against clinical multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1077995. [PMID: 36756618 PMCID: PMC9901506 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1077995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The rise of infections by antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is alarming. Among these, Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of death by hospital-acquired infections, and its multidrug-resistant strains are flagged as a global threat to human health, which necessitates finding novel antibiotics or alternative therapies. One promising therapeutic alternative is the use of virulent bacteriophages, which specifically target bacteria and coevolve with them to overcome potential resistance. Here, we aimed to discover specific bacteriophages with therapeutic potential against multiresistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates. Methods and Results Out of six bacteriophages that we isolated from urban and medical sewage, phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p had the broadest host range and was thus characterized in detail. Transmission electron microscopy suggests vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p to be a tailed phage of the siphoviral morphotype. In vitro evaluation indicated a high lytic efficiency (30 min latent period and burst size of ∼100 PFU/cell), and extended stability at temperatures up to 70°C and a wide range of (2-12) pH. Additionally, phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p possesses antibiofilm activity that was evaluated by the crystal violet assay and was not cytotoxic to human skin fibroblasts. The whole genome was sequenced and annotated, uncovering one tRNA gene and 33 genes encoding proteins with assigned functions out of 85 predicted genes. Furthermore, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis suggest that vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p most likely represents a new species, but belongs to the same genus as Klebsiella phages ZCKP8 and 6691. Comprehensive genomic and bioinformatics analyses substantiate the safety of the phage and its strictly lytic lifestyle. Conclusion Phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p is a novel phage with potential to be used against biofilm-forming K. pneumoniae and could be a promising source for antibacterial and antibiofilm products, which will be individually studied experimentally in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishoy Maher Zaki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), 6th of October, Giza, Egypt,Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nada A. Fahmy
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ramy Karam Aziz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Center for Genome and Microbiome Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Microbiology and Immunology Research Program, Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Center for Genome and Microbiome Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,*Correspondence: Reham Samir, ; Ayman El-Shibiny,
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt,Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish, Egypt,*Correspondence: Reham Samir, ; Ayman El-Shibiny,
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Phage Therapy for Crops: Concepts, Experimental and Bioinformatics Approaches to Direct Its Application. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010325. [PMID: 36613768 PMCID: PMC9820149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy consists of applying bacteriophages, whose natural function is to kill specific bacteria. Bacteriophages are safe, evolve together with their host, and are environmentally friendly. At present, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and salt minerals (Zn2+ or Cu2+) has caused the emergence of resistant strains that infect crops, causing difficulties and loss of food production. Phage therapy is an alternative that has shown positive results and can improve the treatments available for agriculture. However, the success of phage therapy depends on finding effective bacteriophages. This review focused on describing the potential, up to now, of applying phage therapy as an alternative treatment against bacterial diseases, with sustainable improvement in food production. We described the current isolation techniques, characterization, detection, and selection of lytic phages, highlighting the importance of complementary studies using genome analysis of the phage and its host. Finally, among these studies, we concentrated on the most relevant bacteriophages used for biocontrol of Pseudomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., Pectobacterium spp., Ralstonia spp., Burkholderia spp., Dickeya spp., Clavibacter michiganensis, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens as agents that cause damage to crops, and affect food production around the world.
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Interruption of Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthesis Gene wbaZ by Insertion Sequence IS 903B Mediates Resistance to a Lytic Phage against ST11 K64 Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. mSphere 2022; 7:e0051822. [PMID: 36377881 PMCID: PMC9769513 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00518-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a major challenge for clinical management worldwide with limited antimicrobial options. Phages are considered an alternative option. Here, we isolated and identified a phage able to lyse ST11-K64 CRKP, the major type in China. This phage has a narrow host range, only lysing ST11-K64 CRKP, and inhibits the growth of host strains for 3 h forming large clear plaques (3.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter) with a surrounding halo. This phage exhibited excellent stability in different temperatures and pH and did not contain any virulence, lysogenic, antimicrobial resistance genes nor tRNA, meeting the criteria for phage therapy. Genomic analysis revealed that it represents a novel species of the Przondovirus genus according to ICTV standards. However, phage-resistant bacterial mutants emerged after 4-h exposure. Compared to the parental strain, phage-resistant mutants showed nonmucoid appearance and exhibited significantly reduced virulence for Galleria mellonella larva. Three randomly selected phage-resistant mutants were genome sequenced. Interruption of capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis-associated gene wcaJ or wbaZ by IS903B alone or an IS903-formed composite transposon was identified. Interruption of wcaJ is a known phage resistant mechanism, while that of wbaZ is not. By complementing the intact wbaZ, the phage susceptibility was restored, confirming the role of wbaZ interruption in phage resistance. This highlights that alteration in the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster, which could be due to transposable elements, is a major mechanism for resistance to Przondovirus phages in CRKP. Noncapsule-targeting phages may be combined for improving phage therapy against CRKP. IMPORTANCE Phage therapy is an alternative approach against multidrug resistant microorganisms such as carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), which represents a major challenge for treatment due to very limited options of antimicrobial agents. For optimizing phage therapy, more new lytic phages are needed. Here, we isolated and characterized a phage of a novel species able to rapidly lyse a major type of CRKP without carrying any virulence, lysogenic, antimicrobial resistance genes. This phage is therefore suitable for clinical treatment. However, phage-resistant mutants of CRKP strains were observed after exposure. We found a new mechanism, i.e., interruption of a capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene wbaZ by an insertion sequence-formed composite transposon. Our study demonstrates the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster as a major source of resistance to certain lytic phages in CRKP. This requires more studies to counter phage resistance. Our studies also highlight the critical role of insertion sequences in phage resistance.
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Nale JY, Thanki AM, Rashid SJ, Shan J, Vinner GK, Dowah ASA, Cheng JKJ, Sicheritz-Pontén T, Clokie MRJ. Diversity, Dynamics and Therapeutic Application of Clostridioides difficile Bacteriophages. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122772. [PMID: 36560776 PMCID: PMC9784644 DOI: 10.3390/v14122772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile causes antibiotic-induced diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis in humans and animals. Current conventional treatment relies solely on antibiotics, but C. difficile infection (CDI) cases remain persistently high with concomitant increased recurrence often due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Antibiotics used in treatment also induce gut microbial imbalance; therefore, novel therapeutics with improved target specificity are being investigated. Bacteriophages (phages) kill bacteria with precision, hence are alternative therapeutics for the targeted eradication of the pathogen. Here, we review current progress in C. difficile phage research. We discuss tested strategies of isolating C. difficile phages directly, and via enrichment methods from various sample types and through antibiotic induction to mediate prophage release. We also summarise phenotypic phage data that reveal their morphological, genetic diversity, and various ways they impact their host physiology and pathogenicity during infection and lysogeny. Furthermore, we describe the therapeutic development of phages through efficacy testing in different in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo infection models. We also discuss genetic modification of phages to prevent horizontal gene transfer and improve lysis efficacy and formulation to enhance stability and delivery of the phages. The goal of this review is to provide a more in-depth understanding of C. difficile phages and theoretical and practical knowledge on pre-clinical, therapeutic evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of phage therapy for CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Y. Nale
- Centre for Epidemiology and Planetary Health, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Scotland’s Rural College, Inverness IV2 5NA, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Anisha M. Thanki
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Srwa J. Rashid
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Jinyu Shan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Gurinder K. Vinner
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Ahmed S. A. Dowah
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
- School of Pharmacy, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | | | - Thomas Sicheritz-Pontén
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, The Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre of Excellence for Omics-Driven Computational Biodiscovery, AIMST University, Bedong 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Martha R. J. Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
- Correspondence:
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Luo J, Dai D, Lv L, Ahmed T, Chen L, Wang Y, An Q, Sun G, Li B. Advancements in the Use of Bacteriophages to Combat the Kiwifruit Canker Phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. Viruses 2022; 14:2704. [PMID: 36560706 PMCID: PMC9785728 DOI: 10.3390/v14122704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last several decades, kiwifruit production has been severely damaged by the bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), resulting in severe economic losses worldwide. Currently, copper bactericides and antibiotics are the main tools used to control this bacterial disease. However, their use is becoming increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. In addition, environmental issues and the changes in the composition of soil bacterial communities are also concerning when using these substances. Although biocontrol methods have shown promising antibacterial effects on Psa infection under in vitro conditions, the efficiency of antagonistic bacteria and fungi when deployed under field conditions remains unclear. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a phage-based biocontrol strategy for this bacterial pathogen. Due to the specificity of the target bacteria and for the benefit of the environment, bacteriophages (phages) have been widely regarded as promising biological agents to control plant, animal, and human bacterial diseases. An increasing number of studies focus on the use of phages for the control of plant diseases, including the kiwifruit bacterial canker. In this review, we first introduce the characteristics of the Psa-induced kiwifruit canker, followed by a description of the diversity and virulence of Psa strains. The main focus of the review is the description of recent advances in the isolation of Psa phages and their characterization, including morphology, host range, lytic activity, genome characterization, and lysis mechanism, but we also describe the biocontrol strategies together with potential challenges introduced by abiotic factors, such as high temperature, extreme pH, and UV irradiation in kiwifruit orchards. The information presented in this review highlights the potential role of phages in controlling Psa infection to ensure plant protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyan Luo
- Department of Plant Quarantine, Shanghai Extension and Service Center of Agriculture Technology, Shanghai 201103, China
| | - Dejiang Dai
- Station for the Plant Protection & Quarantine and Control of Agrochemicals Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310004, China
| | - Luqiong Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Temoor Ahmed
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Plant Quarantine, Shanghai Extension and Service Center of Agriculture Technology, Shanghai 201103, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Qianli An
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Guochang Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Bin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Novel Aeromonas Phage Ahy-Yong1 and Its Protective Effects against Aeromonas hydrophila in Brocade Carp ( Cyprinus aka Koi). Viruses 2022; 14:v14112498. [PMID: 36423108 PMCID: PMC9697113 DOI: 10.3390/v14112498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila is a zoonotic pathogen and an important fish pathogen. A new lytic phage, Ahy-yong1, against multi-antibiotic-resistant pathogen A. hydrophila was isolated, identified, and tentatively used in therapy. Ahy-yong1 possesses a head of approximately 66 nm in diameter and a short tail of approximately 26 nm in length and 32 nm in width. Its complete dsDNA genome is 43,374 bp with a G + C content of 59.4%, containing 52 predicted opening reading frames (ORFs). Taxonomic analysis indicated Ahy-yong1 as a new species of the Ahphunavirus genus of the Autographiviridae family of the Caudoviricetes class. Ahy-yong1 was active only against its indicator host strain among the 35 strains tested. It is stable at 30-40 °C and at pH 2-12. Aeromonas phage Ahy-yong1 revealed an effective biofilm removal capacity and an obvious protective effect in brocade carp (Cyprinus aka Koi). The average cumulative mortality for the brocade carp in the blank groups intraperitoneally injected with PBS was 1.7% ± 2.4%;for the control groups treated with A. hydrophila (108 CFU/fish) via intraperitoneal injection, it was 100.00%;and for the test group I, successively treated with A. hydrophila (108 CFU/fish) and Aeromonas phage Ahy-yong1 (107 PFU/fish) via intraperitoneal injection witha time interval of 2 hours, it was only 43.4% ± 4.7%. Furthermore, the cumulative mortality of the test group II, successively treated with Aeromonas phage Ahy-yong1 (107 PFU/fish) and A. hydrophila (108 CFU/fish), was only 20.0% ± 8.2%, and that of the test group III, simultaneously treated with Aeromonas phage Ahy-yong1 (107 PFU/fish) and A. hydrophila (108 CFU/fish), was only 30.0% ± 8.2%. The results demonstrated that phage Ahy-yong1 was very effective in the therapies against A. hydrophila A18, prophylaxis was more effective than rescue, and earlier treatment was better for the reduction of mortality. This study enriches knowledge about Aeromonas phages.
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Ambros CL, Ehrmann MA. Distribution, inducibility, and characterisation of prophages in Latilactobacillus sakei. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:267. [DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02675-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are used as starters in a wide variety of food fermentations. While the number of reports of phages infecting other LAB steadily increased over the years, information about phage associated with Latilactobacillus sakei, a frequently used meat starter, remains scarce.
Results
In this study, a predictive genomic analysis of 43 Latilactobacillus sakei genomes revealed the presence of 26 intact, eleven questionable and 52 incomplete prophage sequences across all analysed genomes with a range of one to five predicted prophage sequences per strain. Screening 24 sakei strains for inducible prophages by utilising UV light or mitomycin C, we identified seven lysogenic strains showing lysis after induction during subsequent growth monitoring.
Electron microscopic analysis revealed fully assembled virions in the purified lysates of four samples, thus confirming successful prophage induction. All virions featured icosahedral, isomeric heads and long, most likely non-contractile tails indicating siphoviruses. By performing phylogenetic analyses with various marker genes as well as full prophage sequences, we displayed a remarkably high diversity of prophages, that share a similar gene module organisation and six different chromosomal integration sites were identified. By sequencing viral DNA purified from lysates of Latilactobacillus sakei TMW 1.46, we demonstrate that simultaneous induction of multiple prophages is possible.
Conclusions
With this work, we not only provide data about the incidence of prophages harboured by the meat starter Latilactobacillus sakei, we also demonstrated their potential to impact growth of their host after induction, as well as forming seemingly fully assembled virions.
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Genomic Characterization of Twelve Lytic Bacteriophages Infecting Midgut Bacteria of Aedes aegypti. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:385. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03092-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Viral biogeography of the mammalian gut and parenchymal organs. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1301-1311. [PMID: 35918425 PMCID: PMC7614033 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01178-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian virome has been linked to health and disease but our understanding of how it is structured along the longitudinal axis of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and other organs is limited. Here, we report a metagenomic analysis of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic virome occupying luminal and mucosa-associated habitats along the GIT, as well as parenchymal organs (liver, lung and spleen), in two representative mammalian species, the domestic pig and rhesus macaque (six animals per species). Luminal samples from the large intestine of both mammals harboured the highest loads and diversity of bacteriophages (class Caudoviricetes, family Microviridae and others). Mucosal samples contained much lower viral loads but a higher proportion of eukaryotic viruses (families Astroviridae, Caliciviridae, Parvoviridae). Parenchymal organs contained bacteriophages of gut origin, in addition to some eukaryotic viruses. Overall, GIT virome composition was specific to anatomical region and host species. Upper GIT and mucosa-specific viruses were greatly under-represented in distal colon samples (a proxy for faeces). Nonetheless, certain viral and phage species were ubiquitous in all samples from the oral cavity to the distal colon. The dataset and its accompanying methodology may provide an important resource for future work investigating the biogeography of the mammalian gut virome.
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Imklin N, Sriprasong P, Phuttapatimok S, Kaminsonsakul T, Woonwong Y, Jirawattanapong P, Lekcharoensuk P, Thanantong N, Nasanit R. In vivo assessment of bacteriophages specific to multidrug resistant Escherichia coli on fecal bacterial counts and microbiome in nursery pigs. Res Vet Sci 2022; 151:138-148. [PMID: 35914451 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli is the most common cause of economic loss in swine industry. Nowadays, bacteriophages have been proven as good candidates for controlling bacterial infections. In this study, 6 phages were isolated and selected based on their high efficacy against 11 stains of E. coli isolated from diarrheal pigs. Six groups of weaned piglets were assigned (control, bacterial control (BC), two phage control (PC) and two phage treatment (PT) groups). Two titers (2 × 109 PFU/animal and 2 × 1010 PFU/animal) of phage cocktails consisting of these phages were tested in the PC and PT groups via oral gavage at 24, 48, and 72 h against an E. coli cocktail (2 × 109 CFU/animal) that was given to the piglets at 0, 12, 24, and 48 h of the trial. A significant reduction of fecal E. coli counts was observed in both PT groups from day 1 to 7 following the final phage dosage when compared to those of the BC group. Microbiomes in feces obtained 24 h after the final phage administration revealed phage therapy with both dosages could restore the gut's bacterial composition. Moreover, the given phage cocktails resulted in a significantly higher average daily gain of piglets during the first few weeks in both PC groups and the PT group receiving a higher phage dosage. These findings suggest that bacteriophages might be a potential alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of pathogens. In addition, they could also be utilized to improve pig growth performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Napakhwan Imklin
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Sanamchandra Palace Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Pattaraporn Sriprasong
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Sanamchandra Palace Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Sahathat Phuttapatimok
- Kamphaeng Saen Veterinary Diagnostic Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Tanyanant Kaminsonsakul
- Kamphaeng Saen Veterinary Diagnostic Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Yonlayong Woonwong
- Department of Farm Resources and Production Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Pichai Jirawattanapong
- Department of Farm Resources and Production Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Porntippa Lekcharoensuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food, Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Narut Thanantong
- Department of Farm Resources and Production Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand.
| | - Rujikan Nasanit
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Sanamchandra Palace Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand.
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Ye Y, Chen H, Huang Q, Huang S, He J, Zhang J, Wu Q, Li X, Hu W, Yang M. Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Novel Vibrio parahaemolyticus Phage vB_VpaP_DE10. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081609. [PMID: 35893675 PMCID: PMC9329989 DOI: 10.3390/v14081609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, a novel lytic Vibrio parahaemolyticus phage, vB_VpaP_DE10, was isolated from sewage samples collected in Guangzhou city, China. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that phage vB_VpaP_DE10 has an icosahedral head (52.4 ± 2.5 nm) and a short non-contracted tail (21.9 ± 1.0 nm). Phage vB_VpaP_DE10 lysed approximately 31% (8/26) of the antibiotic-resistant V. parahaemolyticus strains tested. A one-step growth curve showed that phage vB_VpaP_DE10 has a relatively long latency time of 25 min and a burst size of ~19 PFU per cell. The genome of phage vB_VpaP_DE10 is a 42,871-bp-long dsDNA molecule with a G + C content of 49.19% and is predicted to contain 46 open reading frames, 26 of which are predicted to be related to functions such as phage structure, packaging, host lysis, and DNA metabolism. Sequence comparisons suggested that vB_VpaP_DE10 is a member of the genus Maculvirus within the family Autographiviridae. Morphological and genomic analysis indicated that vB_VpaP_DE10 is a novel V. parahaemolyticus phage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanming Ye
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Hanfang Chen
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Qiaolan Huang
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Shixuan Huang
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Jiaxin He
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Jumei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Qingping Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Xueling Li
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Wenfeng Hu
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
- Correspondence: (W.H.); (M.Y.)
| | - Meiyan Yang
- College of Agriculture, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.Y.); (H.C.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.H.); (X.L.)
- Correspondence: (W.H.); (M.Y.)
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Gene sequencing analysis of tailed phages identified diverse (Kayfunavirus and Berlinvirus) coliphages in aquatic niche against AMR Escherichia coli. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:429. [PMID: 35753005 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03055-w] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli has been recognized as a pathogen of concern in the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) perspective. Globally initiatives were taken to control AMR. Bacteriophages are recognized as promising alternative to antibiotics. Harnessing broad-spectrum bacteriophages for augmenting phage repositories is being prioritized across continents for future health care needs. In this context, a study was conducted to isolate coliphages against a collection of AMR E. coli isolated from diverse aquatic niche. Thirty pooled water samples (5 each from rivers, aquaculture ponds, lake, sewage treatment plant, domestic waste and canals) were analysed, and fifty-four lytic coliphages were isolated against the wide range of E. coli host strains. Broad host-spectrum phages were isolated predominantly from sewage water samples. Enriched phages were quantified, and the concentrations ranged from 106 to 107 PFU/mL. Ten phages, viz. ФEC-S-18, ФEC-S-21, ФEC-S-22, ФEC-S-23, ФEC-S-24, ФEC-S-25, ФEC-S-28, ФEC-S-30, ФEC-S-39 and ФEC-S-49, exhibited lytic activity against more than ten AMR strains of E. coli. PCR analysis of the 54 phages using the major capsid protein (MCP) specific primers coupled with gene sequence analysis identified two phages related to Berlinvirus and 35 phages to Kayfunavirus of Autographiviridae. However, the remaining 17 phages did not show amplification using the MCP primers. The study has demonstrated that aquatic environment harboured phages with broad host spectrum that can potentially be used as agents for biological control of E. coli for infection control and food safety.
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Pan L, Li D, Lin W, Liu W, Qin W, Xu L, Tong Y. Genomic analysis of a novel active prophage of Hafnia paralvei. Arch Virol 2022; 167:2027-2034. [PMID: 35752683 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05498-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the prophages in Hafniaceae bacteria. A novel Hafnia phage, yong2, was induced from Hafnia paralvei by treatment with mitomycin C. The phage has an elliptical head with dimensions of approximately 45 × 38 nm and a long noncontractile tail of approximately 157 × 4 nm. The complete genome of Hafnia phage yong2 is a 39,546-bp double-stranded DNA with a G+C content of 49.9%, containing 59 open reading frames (ORFs) and having at least one fixed terminus (GGGGCAGCGACA). In phylogenetic analysis, Hafnia phage yong2 clustered with four predicted Hafnia prophages and one predicted Enterobacteriaceae prophage. These prophages and members of the family Drexlerviridae together formed two distinct subclades nested within a clade, suggesting the existence of a novel class of prophages with conserved sequences and a unique evolutionary status not yet studied before in Hafniaceae and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingting Pan
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Dengfeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Wei Lin
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Wencai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weinan Qin
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lihua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Anh VTT, Pham-Khanh NH, Han NS, Sunahara H, Kamei K. Characterization and Complete Genomic Analysis of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus-Infecting Phage KIT05. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:221. [PMID: 35704129 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-02907-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacterial pathogen in marine aquaculture systems and a major cause of food-borne illnesses worldwide. In the present study, Vibrio phage KIT05 was isolated from water collected from a shrimp farm in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. It was characterized based on its morphology, growth curve, lytic properties, and genome sequence. Under the electron microscope, KIT05 particles had an icosahedral head with a diameter of 62.3 nm and a short tail of 24.1 nm. The one-step growth curve of KIT05 showed that its latency time was approximately 40 min and burst size was 18 plaque-forming units/cell. The genome of KIT05 comprises 50,628 bp with a GC content of 41.63%. It contains 60 open reading frames that are encoded within both strands and four tRNAs. The presence of direct terminal repeats of 130 bp at both ends of the KIT05 DNA was determined. According to phage morphology, genomic organization, and phylogeny analysis, Vibrio phage KIT05 was classified into the family Podoviridae. The genome annotation revealed that KIT05 had no virulent or lysogenic genes. This study may help identify a novel candidate for developing biocontrol agents for Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vo Thi Tu Anh
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nguyen Huan Pham-Khanh
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Song Han
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Sunahara
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaeko Kamei
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan.
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Aaron J, van Zyl LJ, Dicks LMT. Isolation and Characterization of Lytic Proteus Virus 309. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061309. [PMID: 35746779 PMCID: PMC9229222 DOI: 10.3390/v14061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is frequently associated with complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is the main cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Treatment of such infections is complicated and challenging due to the biofilm forming abilities of P. mirabilis. If neglected or mistreated, infections may lead to life-threating conditions such as cystitis, pyelonephritis, kidney failure, and bacteremia that may progress to urosepsis. Treatment with antibiotics, especially in cases of recurring and persistent infections, leads to the development of resistant strains. Recent insights into phage therapy and using phages to coat catheters have been evaluated with many studies showing promising results. Here, we describe a highly lytic bacteriophage, Proteus_virus_309 (41,740 bp), isolated from a wastewater treatment facility in Cape Town, South Africa. According to guidelines of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), bacteriophage 309 is a species within the genus Novosibovirus. Similar to most members of the genus, bacteriophage 309 is strain-specific and lyse P. mirabilis in less than 20 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Aaron
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa;
| | - Leonardo J. van Zyl
- Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa;
| | - Leon M. T. Dicks
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa;
- Correspondence:
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50
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Salih H, Karaynir A, Yalcin M, Oryasin E, Holyavkin C, Basbulbul G, Bozdogan B. Metagenomic analysis of wastewater phageome from a University Hospital in Turkey. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:353. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02962-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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