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Villicaña C, Rubí-Rangel LM, Amarillas L, Lightbourn-Rojas LA, Carrillo-Fasio JA, León-Félix J. Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel Genera of Jumbo Bacteriophages Infecting Xanthomonas vesicatoria Isolated from Agricultural Regions in Mexico. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:651. [PMID: 39061333 PMCID: PMC11273794 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070651] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial spot is a serious disease caused by several species of Xanthomonas affecting pepper and tomato production worldwide. Since the strategies employed for disease management have been inefficient and pose a threat for environmental and human health, the development of alternative methods is gaining relevance. The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize lytic phages against Xanthomonas pathogens. Here, we isolate two jumbo phages, named XaC1 and XbC2, from water obtained from agricultural irrigation channels by the enrichment technique using X. vesicatoria as a host. We determined that both phages were specific for inducing the lysis of X. vesicatoria strains, but not of other xanthomonads. The XaC1 and XbC2 phages showed a myovirus morphology and were classified as jumbo phages due to their genomes being larger than 200 kb. Phylogenetic and comparative analysis suggests that XaC1 and XbC2 represent both different and novel genera of phages, where XaC1 possesses a low similarity to other phage genomes reported before. Finally, XaC1 and XbC2 exhibited thermal stability up to 45 °C and pH stability from 5 to 9. All these results indicate that the isolated phages are promising candidates for the development of formulations against bacterial spot, although further characterization is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Villicaña
- CONAHCYT—Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Genómica Funcional, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
| | - Lucía M. Rubí-Rangel
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Genómica Funcional, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
| | - Luis Amarillas
- Laboratorio de Genética, Instituto de Investigación Lightbourn, A. C., Cd. Jimenez 33981, Chihuahua, Mexico; (L.A.)
| | | | - José Armando Carrillo-Fasio
- Laboratorio de Nematología Agrícola, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
| | - Josefina León-Félix
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Genómica Funcional, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
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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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Evseev PV, Sukhova AS, Tkachenko NA, Skryabin YP, Popova AV. Lytic Capsule-Specific Acinetobacter Bacteriophages Encoding Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzymes. Viruses 2024; 16:771. [PMID: 38793652 PMCID: PMC11126041 DOI: 10.3390/v16050771] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Acinetobacter comprises both environmental and clinically relevant species associated with hospital-acquired infections. Among them, Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical priority bacterial pathogen, for which the research and development of new strategies for antimicrobial treatment are urgently needed. Acinetobacter spp. produce a variety of structurally diverse capsular polysaccharides (CPSs), which surround the bacterial cells with a thick protective layer. These surface structures are primary receptors for capsule-specific bacteriophages, that is, phages carrying tailspikes with CPS-depolymerizing/modifying activities. Phage tailspike proteins (TSPs) exhibit hydrolase, lyase, or esterase activities toward the corresponding CPSs of a certain structure. In this study, the data on all lytic capsule-specific phages infecting Acinetobacter spp. with genomes deposited in the NCBI GenBank database by January 2024 were summarized. Among the 149 identified TSPs encoded in the genomes of 143 phages, the capsular specificity (K specificity) of 46 proteins has been experimentally determined or predicted previously. The specificity of 63 TSPs toward CPSs, produced by various Acinetobacter K types, was predicted in this study using a bioinformatic analysis. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis confirmed the prediction and revealed the possibility of the genetic exchange of gene regions corresponding to the CPS-recognizing/degrading parts of different TSPs between morphologically and taxonomically distant groups of capsule-specific Acinetobacter phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Evseev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia S. Sukhova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
| | - Nikolay A. Tkachenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yuriy P. Skryabin
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
| | - Anastasia V. Popova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
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Peters DL, Gaudreault F, Chen W. Functional domains of Acinetobacter bacteriophage tail fibers. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1230997. [PMID: 38690360 PMCID: PMC11058221 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1230997] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
A rapid increase in antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections around the world is causing a global health crisis. The Gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii is categorized as a Priority 1 pathogen for research and development of new antimicrobials by the World Health Organization due to its numerous intrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms and ability to quickly acquire new resistance determinants. Specialized phage enzymes, called depolymerases, degrade the bacterial capsule polysaccharide layer and show therapeutic potential by sensitizing the bacterium to phages, select antibiotics, and serum killing. The functional domains responsible for the capsule degradation activity are often found in the tail fibers of select A. baumannii phages. To further explore the functional domains associated with depolymerase activity, tail-associated proteins of 71 sequenced and fully characterized phages were identified from published literature and analyzed for functional domains using InterProScan. Multisequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses were conducted on the domain groups and assessed in the context of noted halo formation or depolymerase characterization. Proteins derived from phages noted to have halo formation or a functional depolymerase, but no functional domain hits, were modeled with AlphaFold2 Multimer, and compared to other protein models using the DALI server. The domains associated with depolymerase function were pectin lyase-like (SSF51126), tailspike binding (cd20481), (Trans)glycosidases (SSF51445), and potentially SGNH hydrolases. These findings expand our knowledge on phage depolymerases, enabling researchers to better exploit these enzymes for therapeutic use in combating the antimicrobial resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L. Peters
- Human Health Therapeutics (HHT) Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Wangxue Chen
- Human Health Therapeutics (HHT) Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
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Wang M, Ning Y, Jiao X, Liu J, Qiao J. Bacteriophages and their derived enzymes as promising alternatives for the treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infections. Arch Virol 2023; 168:288. [PMID: 37947926 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05910-7] [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: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Nosocomial infections with the opportunistic bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii pose a severe challenge to clinical treatment, which is aggravated by the increasing occurrence of multi-drug resistance, especially resistance to carbapenems. The use of phage therapy as an alternative and supplement to the current antibiotics has become an important research topic in the post-antibiotic era. This review summarizes in vivo and in vitro studies on phage therapy against multi-drug-resistant A. baumannii infection that have used different approaches, including treatment with a single phage, combination with other phages or non-phage agents, and administration of phage-derived enzymes. We also briefly discuss the current challenges of phage-based therapy as well as promising approaches for the treatment of A. baumannii infection in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglu Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Ning
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Jiao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayi Liu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Weifang Nursing Vocational College, Weifang, 262500, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjuan Qiao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- Institutional Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, 12th 5-Year Project of Shandong Province, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Karthika C, Malligarjunan N, Jothi R, Kasthuri T, Alexpandi R, Ravi AV, Pandian SK, Gowrishankar S. Two novel phages PSPa and APPa inhibit planktonic, sessile and persister populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and mitigate its virulence in Zebrafish model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19033. [PMID: 37923820 PMCID: PMC10624879 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45313-x] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study explores the avenue of phage therapy as an alternative antimicrobial therapeutic approach to counter multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Our study investigated two novel virulent phages PSPa and APPa, specific to P. aeruginosa, in which in vitro evaluations were carried out to assess the therapeutic potential of phages. Both the identified phages exhibited host specificity by showing antagonistic activity of about 96.43% (27/28) and 92.85% (26/28) towards the 28 MDR clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. The PSPa phage was found to have linear dsDNA with a sequence length of 66,368 bp and 92 ORFs, of which 32 were encoded for known functions of the phage life cycle and the remaining 60 were hypothetical functions. The APPa phage was found to have linear dsDNA with 59,591 bp of genome length and 79 ORFs, of which 15 were found to have known phage functions and the remaining 64 were found to be hypothetical proteins. Notably, the genome of both the phages lacks genes coding for tRNA, rRNA, and tmRNA. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that PSPa and APPa share > 95% sequence similarity with previously sequenced Pseudomonas viruses of their respective families. Further, the in vivo efficacy evaluation using the zebrafish model revealed that the treatment with PSPa and APPa has remarkably improved the survival rate of bacterial-infected zebrafish, reinforcing the anti-infective potential of the isolated phages PSPa and APPa against P. aeruginosa infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrasekar Karthika
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nambiraman Malligarjunan
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ravi Jothi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Thirupathi Kasthuri
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajaiah Alexpandi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arumugam Veera Ravi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Shanmugaraj Gowrishankar
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
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7
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Leungtongkam U, Kitti T, Khongfak S, Thummeepak R, Tasanapak K, Wongwigkarn J, Khanthawong S, Belkhiri A, Ribeiro HG, Turner JS, Malik DJ, Sitthisak S. Genome characterization of the novel lytic phage vB_AbaAut_ChT04 and the antimicrobial activity of its lysin peptide against Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from different time periods. Arch Virol 2023; 168:238. [PMID: 37660314 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05862-y] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is an important opportunistic pathogen, usually associated with immunocompromised individuals with a prolonged period of stay in a hospital. Currently, the incidence of multi-drug resistant A. baumannii (MDR-AB) and extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii (XDR-AB) is increasing rapidly in Thailand, mirroring the trend worldwide. Novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of A. baumannii infection using bacteriophages are being evaluated, and the use of phage-derived peptides is being tested as alternative approach to fighting infection. In this study, we isolated and determined the biological features of a lytic A. baumannii phage called vB_AbaAut_ChT04 (vChT04). The vChT04 phage was classified as a member of the family Autographiviridae of the class Caudoviricetes. It showed a short latent period (10 min) and a large burst size (280 PFU cell-1), and it was able to infect 52 out of 150 clinical MDR-AB strains tested (34.67%). Most of the phage-sensitive strains were A. baumannii strains that had been isolated during the same year that the phage was isolated. The phage showed activity across a broad pH (pH 5.0-8.0) and temperature (4-37°C) range. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the vChT04 genome comprises 41,158 bp with a 39.3% GC content and contains 48 open reading frames (ORFs), 28 of which were assigned putative functions based on homology to previously identified phage genes. Comparative genomic analysis demonstrated that vChT04 had the highest similarity to phage vB_AbaP_WU2001, which was isolated in the southern part of Thailand. An endolysin gene found in the vChT04 genome was used to synthesize an antimicrobial peptide (designated as PLysChT04) and its antimicrobial activity was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. The MIC and MBC values of peptide PLysChT04 against MDR-AB and XDR-AB were 312.5-625 µg/mL, and it was able to inhibit both phage-susceptible and phage-resistant isolates collected over different time periods. PLysChT04 showed good efficacy in killing drug-resistant A. baumannii and other bacterial strains, and it is a promising candidate for development as an alternative therapeutic agent targeting A. baumannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udomluk Leungtongkam
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Thawatchai Kitti
- Department of Oriental Medicine, Chiang Rai College, Chiangrai, Thailand
| | - Supat Khongfak
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Rapee Thummeepak
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Kannipa Tasanapak
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Jintana Wongwigkarn
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Sophit Khanthawong
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Aouatif Belkhiri
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Henrique G Ribeiro
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - John S Turner
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Danish J Malik
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Sutthirat Sitthisak
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
- Centre of Excellence in Fungal Research, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
- Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
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Characterisation and sequencing of the novel phage Abp95, which is effective against multi-genotypes of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2023; 13:188. [PMID: 36604462 PMCID: PMC9813454 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26696-9] [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: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii has become one of the most challenging conditional pathogens in health facilities. It causes various infectious diseases in humans, such as wound or urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Phage therapy has been used as an alternative strategy for antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii infections and has been approved by several governments. Previously, we have reported two potential phage therapy candidates, Abp1 and Abp9, both of which are narrow-host-range phages. In the present study, we screened and isolated 22 A. baumannii bacteriophages from hospital sewage water and determined that Abp95 has a wide host range (29%; 58/200). The biological and genomic characteristics and anti-infection potential of Abp95 were also investigated. Abp95 belongs to the Myoviridae family, with a G+C content of 37.85% and a genome size of 43,176 bp. Its genome encodes 77 putative genes, none of which are virulence, lysogeny, or antibiotic resistance genes. Abp95 was found to accelerate wound healing in a diabetic mouse wound infection model by clearing local infections of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. In conclusion, the lytic phage Abp95, which has a wide host range, demonstrates potential as a candidate for phage therapy against multiple sequence types of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.
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Gkartziou F, Giormezis N, Spiliopoulou I, Antimisiaris SG. Nanobiosystems for Antimicrobial Drug-Resistant Infections. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11051075. [PMID: 33922004 PMCID: PMC8143556 DOI: 10.3390/nano11051075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide increased bacterial resistance toward antimicrobial therapeutics has led investigators to search for new therapeutic options. Some of the options currently exploited to treat drug-resistant infections include drug-associated nanosystems. Additionally, the use of bacteriophages alone or in combination with drugs has been recently revisited; some studies utilizing nanosystems for bacteriophage delivery have been already reported. In this review article, we focus on nine pathogens that are the leading antimicrobial drug-resistant organisms, causing difficult-to-treat infections. For each organism, the bacteriophages and nanosystems developed or used in the last 20 years as potential treatments of pathogen-related infections are discussed. Summarizing conclusions and future perspectives related with the potential of such nano-antimicrobials for the treatment of persistent infections are finally highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foteini Gkartziou
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, FORTH/ICES, Platani, 26504 Patras, Greece;
| | - Nikolaos Giormezis
- National Reference Centre for Staphylococci, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
| | - Iris Spiliopoulou
- National Reference Centre for Staphylococci, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (S.G.A.)
| | - Sophia G. Antimisiaris
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, FORTH/ICES, Platani, 26504 Patras, Greece;
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (S.G.A.)
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Xu J, Li X, Kang G, Bai L, Wang P, Huang H. Isolation and Characterization of AbTJ, an Acinetobacter baumannii Phage, and Functional Identification of Its Receptor-Binding Modules. Viruses 2020; 12:v12020205. [PMID: 32059512 PMCID: PMC7077233 DOI: 10.3390/v12020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A. baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen and a major cause of various community-acquired infections. Strains of this species can be resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents, leaving limited therapeutic options, also lacking in methods for accurate and prompt diagnosis. In this context, AbTJ, a novel phage that infects A. baumannii MDR-TJ, was isolated and characterized, together with its two tail fiber proteins. Morphological analysis revealed that it belongs to Podoviridae family. Its host range, growth characteristics, stability under various conditions, and genomic sequence, were systematically investigated. Bioinformatic analysis showed that AbTJ consists of a circular, double-stranded 42670-bp DNA molecule which contains 62 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Genome comparison revealed that the phage AbTJ is related to the Acinetobacter phage Ab105-1phi (No. KT588074). Tail fiber protein (TFPs) gp52 and gp53 were then identified and confirmed as species-specific proteins. By using a combination of bioluminescent methods and magnetic beads, these TFPs exhibit excellent specificity to detect A. baumannii. The findings of this study can be used to help control opportunistic infections and to provide pathogen-binding modules for further construction of engineered bacteria of diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Xu
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (J.X.); (X.L.); (G.K.); (L.B.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (J.X.); (X.L.); (G.K.); (L.B.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Tianjin Modern Innovative TCM Technology Co. Ltd., Tianjin 300392, China
| | - Guangbo Kang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (J.X.); (X.L.); (G.K.); (L.B.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Liang Bai
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (J.X.); (X.L.); (G.K.); (L.B.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Tianjin Modern Innovative TCM Technology Co. Ltd., Tianjin 300392, China
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (H.H.); Tel.: +86-22-6031-8081 (P.W.); +86-22-2740-3389 (H.H.)
| | - He Huang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (J.X.); (X.L.); (G.K.); (L.B.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (H.H.); Tel.: +86-22-6031-8081 (P.W.); +86-22-2740-3389 (H.H.)
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Two Novel Bacteriophages Improve Survival in Galleria mellonella Infection and Mouse Acute Pneumonia Models Infected with Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.02900-18. [PMID: 30824445 PMCID: PMC6495756 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02900-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, two novel P. aeruginosa phages, Bϕ-R656 and Bϕ-R1836, were evaluated in vitro, in silico, and in vivo for therapeutic efficacy and safety as an alternative antibacterial agent to control XDR-PA strains collected from pneumonia patients. Both phages exhibited potent bacteriolytic activity and greatly improved survival in G. mellonella larva infection and a mouse acute pneumonia model. Based on these results, we strongly predict that these two new phages could be used as fast-acting and safe alternative biological weapons against XDR-PA infections. Extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (XDR-PA) is a life-threatening pathogen that causes serious global problems. Here, we investigated two novel P. aeruginosa bacteriophages (phages), Bϕ-R656 and Bϕ-R1836, in vitro, in silico, and in vivo to evaluate the potential of phage therapy to control XDR-PA clinical strains. Bϕ-R656 and Bϕ-R1836 belong to the Siphoviridae family and exhibited broad host ranges which could lyse 18 (64%) and 14 (50%) of the 28 XDR-PA strains. In addition, the two phages showed strong bacteriolytic activity against XDR-PA host strains from pneumonia patients. The whole genomes of Bϕ-R656 and Bϕ-R1836 have linear double-stranded DNA of 60,919 and 37,714 bp, respectively. The complete sequence of Bϕ-R656 had very low similarity to the previously discovered P. aeruginosa phages in GenBank, but phage Bϕ-R1836 exhibited 98% and 91% nucleotide similarity to Pseudomonas phages YMC12/01/R24 and PA1/KOR/2010, respectively. In the two in vivo infection models, treatment with Bϕ-R656 and Bϕ-R1836 enhanced the survival of Galleria mellonella larvae (50% and 60%, respectively) at 72 h postinfection and pneumonia-model mice (66% and 83%, respectively) at 12 days postinfection compared with untreated controls. Treatment with Bϕ-R656 or Bϕ-R1836 also significantly decreased the bacterial load in the lungs of the mouse pneumonia model (>6 log10 CFU and >4 log10 CFU, respectively) on day 5. IMPORTANCE In this study, two novel P. aeruginosa phages, Bϕ-R656 and Bϕ-R1836, were evaluated in vitro, in silico, and in vivo for therapeutic efficacy and safety as an alternative antibacterial agent to control XDR-PA strains collected from pneumonia patients. Both phages exhibited potent bacteriolytic activity and greatly improved survival in G. mellonella larva infection and a mouse acute pneumonia model. Based on these results, we strongly predict that these two new phages could be used as fast-acting and safe alternative biological weapons against XDR-PA infections.
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12
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Jeon J, Park JH, Yong D. Efficacy of bacteriophage treatment against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Galleria mellonella larvae and a mouse model of acute pneumonia. BMC Microbiol 2019; 19:70. [PMID: 30940074 PMCID: PMC6444642 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-019-1443-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that causes serious nosocomial infection in intensive care units. In particular, carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) strains have been increasing in the past decade, and they have caused major medical problems worldwide. In this study, a novel A. baumannii lytic phage, the YMC 13/03/R2096 ABA BP (phage Βϕ-R2096), which specifically causes the lysis of CRAB strains, was characterized in detail in vitro and in silico, and the in vivo effectiveness of phage therapy was evaluated using Galleria mellonella and a mouse model of acute pneumonia. Results The A. baumannii phage Βϕ-R2096 was isolated from sewage water using CRAB clinical strains selected from patients at a university hospital in South Korea. The complete genome of the phage Βϕ-R2096, which belongs to the Myoviridae family, was analyzed. Phage Βϕ-R2096 inhibited bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited high bacteriolytic activity at MOI = 10. In the evaluation of its therapeutic potential against CRAB clinical isolates using two in vivo models, phage Βϕ-R2096 increased the survival rates of both G. mellonella larvae (from 0 to 50% at 24 h) and mice (from 30% with MOI = 0.1 to 100% with MOI = 10 for 12 days) in post-infection of CRAB. In particular, phage Βϕ-R2096 strongly ameliorated histologic damage to infected lungs, with bacterial clearance in the lungs observed on day 3 postinfection in the mouse acute pneumonia model. Moreover, in vivo studies revealed no mortality or serious side effects in phage-treated groups. Conclusion The results of this study strongly suggest that phage Βϕ-R2096, a novel A. baumannii lytic phage, could be an alternative antibacterial agent to control CRAB infections. This study is the first report to compare in vivo evaluations (G. mellonella larvae and a mouse acute pneumonia model) of the therapeutic efficacy of a phage against CRAB infections. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-019-1443-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongsoo Jeon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Y, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong-Hwan Park
- Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwang-ju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongeun Yong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Y, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
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13
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Enhanced antibacterial effect of the novel T4-like bacteriophage KARL-1 in combination with antibiotics against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14140. [PMID: 30237558 PMCID: PMC6147977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32344-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuing rise of infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria has led to a renewed interest in bacteriophage therapy. Here we characterize phage vB_AbaM-KARL-1 with lytic activity against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii (AB). Besides genomic and phenotypic phage analysis, the objective of our study was to investigate the antibacterial outcome when the phage acts in concert with distinct antibiotics. KARL-1 belongs to the family of Myoviridae and is able to lyse 8 of 20 (40%) tested clinical isolates. Its double-stranded DNA genome consists of 166,560 bp encoding for 253 open reading frames. Genome wide comparison suggests that KARL-1 is a novel species within the subfamily Tevenvirinae, sharing 77% nucleotide identity (coverage 58%) with phage ZZ1. The antibacterial efficacy at various multiplicities of infection (MOI) was monitored either alone or in combination with meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and colistin. A complete clearance of liquid cultures was achieved with KARL-1 at an MOI of 10-1 and meropenem (>128 mg/l). KARL-1 was still effective at an MOI of 10-7, but antibacterial activity was significantly augmented with meropenem. While ciprofloxacin did generally not support phage activity, the application of KARL-1 at an MOI of 10-7 and therapeutic doses of colistin significantly elevated bacterial suppression. Hence, KARL-1 represents a novel candidate for use against multi-drug resistant AB and the therapeutic outcome may be positively influenced by the addition of traditional antibiotics.
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Cha K, Oh HK, Jang JY, Jo Y, Kim WK, Ha GU, Ko KS, Myung H. Characterization of Two Novel Bacteriophages Infecting Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii and Evaluation of Their Therapeutic Efficacy in Vivo. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:696. [PMID: 29755420 PMCID: PMC5932359 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is emerging as a challenging nosocomial pathogen due to its rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance. We report characterization of two novel bacteriophages, PBAB08 and PBAB25, infecting clinically isolated, multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii strains. Both phages belonged to Myoviridae of Caudovirales as their morphology observed under an electron microscope. Their genomes were double stranded linear DNAs of 42,312 base pairs and 40,260 base pairs, respectively. The two phages were distinct from known Acinetobacter phages when whole genome sequences were compared. PBAB08 showed a 99% similarity with 57% sequence coverage to phage AB1 and PBAB25 showed a 97% similarity with 78% sequence coverage to phage IME_AB3. BLASTN significant alignment coverage of all other known phages were <30%. Seventy six and seventy genes encoding putative phage proteins were found in the genomes of PBAB08 and PBAB25, respectively. Their genomic organizations and sequence similarities were consistent with the modular theory of phage evolution. Therapeutic efficacy of a phage cocktail containing the two and other phages were evaluated in a mice model with nasal infection of MDR A. baumannii. Mice treated with the phage cocktail showed a 2.3-fold higher survival rate than those untreated in 7 days post infection. In addition, 1/100 reduction of the number of A. baumannii in the lung of the mice treated with the phage cocktail was observed. Also, inflammatory responses of mice which were injected with the phage cocktail by intraperitoneal, intranasal, or oral route was investigated. Increase in serum cytokine was minimal regardless of the injection route. A 20% increase in IgE production was seen in intraperitoneal injection route, but not in other routes. Thus, the cocktail containing the two newly isolated phages could serve as a potential candidate for therapeutic interventions to treat A. baummannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungeun Cha
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea.,The Bacteriophage Bank of Korea, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Hynu K Oh
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Jae Y Jang
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Yunyeol Jo
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Won K Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Geon U Ha
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Kwan S Ko
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyukwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Heejoon Myung
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea.,The Bacteriophage Bank of Korea, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
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15
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Shahin K, Bouzari M, Wang R. Isolation, characterization and genomic analysis of a novel lytic bacteriophage vB_SsoS-ISF002 infecting Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri. J Med Microbiol 2018; 67:376-386. [PMID: 29458535 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Khashayar Shahin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Hezar Jereeb Street, 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of MOST, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, PR China
| | - Majid Bouzari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Hezar Jereeb Street, 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ran Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of MOST, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, PR China
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16
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Shahin K, Bouzari M. Bacteriophage application for biocontrolling Shigella flexneri in contaminated foods. JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2018; 55:550-559. [PMID: 29391619 PMCID: PMC5785380 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2964-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) is an acute enteric infection caused by members of Shigella genus. It causes annual deaths of approximately five million children in developing countries. Among Shigella spp., S. flexneri causes more serious forms of dysentery than other Shigella species. Due to the appearance of multidrug-resistant strains of Shigella spp., it is necessary to find alternative antimicrobial agents. The aims of this study were the isolation of a novel species-specific phage against S. flexneri and to evaluate its potential and efficacy for biocontrolling of S. flexneri in foods. Shigella flexneri PTCC 1234 was used as the host strain for bacteriophage isolation from waste water. A lytic phage of the Siphoviridae family was isolated and designated as vB_SflS-ISF001. The phage activity remained at high levels after 1 h of incubation at - 20 to 50 °C and was fairly stable for 1 h at pH values ranging from 7 to 9. The latent period and burst size were approximately 20 min and 53 ± 4 phages per host cell, respectively. Raw and cooked chicken breast were inoculated with a predetermined amount of S. flexneri and subjected to biocontrol test. The results showed that using vB_SflS-ISF001 phage led to more than two logs reduction in the count of viable S. flexneri. It was demonstrated that using vB_SflS-ISF001 phage is of high potential for developing an alternative strategy against S. flexneri contamination in foodstuffs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khashayar Shahin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441 Iran
| | - Majid Bouzari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441 Iran
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17
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Turner D, Ackermann HW, Kropinski AM, Lavigne R, Sutton JM, Reynolds DM. Comparative Analysis of 37 Acinetobacter Bacteriophages. Viruses 2017; 10:E5. [PMID: 29295549 PMCID: PMC5795418 DOI: 10.3390/v10010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Acinetobacter are ubiquitous in the environment and the multiple-drug resistant species A. baumannii is of significant clinical concern. This clinical relevance is currently driving research on bacterial viruses infecting A. baumannii, in an effort to implement phage therapy and phage-derived antimicrobials. Initially, a total of 42 Acinetobacter phage genome sequences were available in the international nucleotide sequence databases, corresponding to a total of 2.87 Mbp of sequence information and representing all three families of the order Caudovirales and a single member of the Leviviridae. A comparative bioinformatics analysis of 37 Acinetobacter phages revealed that they form six discrete clusters and two singletons based on genomic organisation and nucleotide sequence identity. The assignment of these phages to clusters was further supported by proteomic relationships established using OrthoMCL. The 4067 proteins encoded by the 37 phage genomes formed 737 groups and 974 orphans. Notably, over half of the proteins encoded by the Acinetobacter phages are of unknown function. The comparative analysis and clustering presented enables an updated taxonomic framing of these clades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dann Turner
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Hans-Wolfgang Ackermann
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectiology, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1X 46, Canada
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Departments of Food Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology; and Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21, box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - J Mark Sutton
- National Infections Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK.
| | - Darren M Reynolds
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
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18
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Chen LK, Kuo SC, Chang KC, Cheng CC, Yu PY, Chang CH, Chen TY, Tseng CC. Clinical Antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strains with Higher Susceptibility to Environmental Phages than Antibiotic-sensitive Strains. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6319. [PMID: 28740225 PMCID: PMC5524697 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06688-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is associated with nosocomial infections worldwide. Here, we used clinically isolated A. baumannii strains as models to demonstrate whether antibiotic resistance is correlated with an increased susceptibility to bacteriophages. In this study, 24 active phages capable of infecting A. baumannii were isolated from various environments, and the susceptibilities of both antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant strains of A. baumannii to different phages were compared. In our study, a total of 403 clinically isolated A. baumannii strains were identified. On average, the phage infection percentage of the antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii strains was 84% (from 81–86%), whereas the infection percentage in the antibiotic-sensitive A. baumannii strains was only 56.5% (from 49–64%). In addition, the risk of phage infection for A. baumannii was significantly increased in the strains that were resistant to at least four antibiotics and exhibited a dose-dependent response (p-trend < 0.0001). Among all of the A. baumannii isolates, 75.6% were phage typeable. The results of phage typing might also reveal the antibiotic-resistant profiles of clinical A. baumannii strains. In conclusion, phage susceptibility represents an evolutionary trade-off in A. baumannii strains that show adaptations for antibiotic resistance, particularly in medical environments that have high antibiotic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Kuang Chen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Laboratory Diagnostic, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Pathology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chen Kuo
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Chih Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Chen Cheng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ying Yu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hui Chang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Tren-Yi Chen
- Emergency Department, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chieh Tseng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
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19
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Genomic sequencing of a strain of Acinetobacter baumannii and potential mechanisms to antibiotics resistance. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 50:20-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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20
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Ho YH, Tseng CC, Wang LS, Chen YT, Ho GJ, Lin TY, Wang LY, Chen LK. Application of Bacteriophage-containing Aerosol against Nosocomial Transmission of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an Intensive Care Unit. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168380. [PMID: 27992494 PMCID: PMC5161369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is associated with nosocomial infections worldwide. Here, we used phage as a potential agent to evaluate the efficacy of daily cleaning practices combined with a bacteriophage-containing aerosol against CRAB. METHODS A two-phase prospective intervention study was performed at a 945-bed public teaching hospital. From March to December 2013, we performed terminal cleaning using standard procedures plus an aerosol with active bacteriophage in the intensive care units to evaluate the impact on nosocomial incidence density, carbapenem-resistance rates and antimicrobial drug consumption amounts. Patients with culture proven CRAB infection were transferred to the isolation room when the phage aerosol cleaning had been completed. RESULTS A total of 264 new acquisitions of CRAB were identified in the intensive care units (191 in the pre-intervention period and 73 in the intervention period). The rates of new acquisitions of CRAB in the intensive care units decreased from 8.57 per 1000 patient-days in the pre-intervention period to 5.11 per 1000 patient-days in the intervention period (p = 0.0029). The mean percentage of resistant isolates CRAB decreased from 87.76% to 46.07% in the intensive care units (p = 0.001). All of the antimicrobials showed a significant reduction in consumption except imipenem. CONCLUSIONS The bacteriophage was successful in decreasing the rates of infection caused by CRAB across intensive care units in a large teaching hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Huai Ho
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chieh Tseng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Lih-Shinn Wang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Chen
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Jin Ho
- Department of Surgical Critical Care Unit, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Yi Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yi Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Li-Kuang Chen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Laboratory Diagnostic, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Pathology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Parmar KM, Hathi ZJ, Dafale NA. Control of Multidrug-Resistant Gene Flow in the Environment Through Bacteriophage Intervention. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2016; 181:1007-1029. [PMID: 27723009 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-016-2265-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is an emerging threat to the environment and public wellness. Inappropriate use and indiscriminate release of antibiotics in the environment through un-metabolized form create a scenario for the emergence of virulent pathogens and MDR bugs in the surroundings. Mechanisms underlying the spread of resistance include horizontal and vertical gene transfers causing the transmittance of MDR genes packed in different host, which pass across different food webs. Several controlling agents have been used for combating pathogens; however, the use of lytic bacteriophages proves to be one of the most eco-friendly due to their specificity, killing only target bacteria without damaging the indigenous beneficial flora of the habitat. Phages are part of the natural microflora present in different environmental niches and are remarkably stable in the environment. Diverse range of phage products, such as phage enzymes, phage peptides having antimicrobial properties, and phage cocktails also have been used to eradicate pathogens along with whole phages. Recently, the ability of phages to control pathogens has extended from the different areas of medicine, agriculture, aquaculture, food industry, and into the environment. To avoid the arrival of pre-antibiotic epoch, phage intervention proves to be a potential option to eradicate harmful pathogens generated by the MDR gene flow which are uneasy to cure by conventional treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krupa M Parmar
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Zubeen J Hathi
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Nishant A Dafale
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, 440020, India.
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Insights on the Horizontal Gene Transfer of Carbapenemase Determinants in the Opportunistic Pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Microorganisms 2016; 4:microorganisms4030029. [PMID: 27681923 PMCID: PMC5039589 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms4030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a driving force to the evolution of bacteria. The fast emergence of antimicrobial resistance reflects the ability of genetic adaptation of pathogens. Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged in the last few decades as an important opportunistic nosocomial pathogen, in part due to its high capacity of acquiring resistance to diverse antibiotic families, including to the so-called last line drugs such as carbapenems. The rampant selective pressure and genetic exchange of resistance genes hinder the effective treatment of resistant infections. A. baumannii uses all the resistance mechanisms to survive against carbapenems but production of carbapenemases are the major mechanism, which may act in synergy with others. A. baumannii appears to use all the mechanisms of gene dissemination. Beyond conjugation, the mostly reported recent studies point to natural transformation, transduction and outer membrane vesicles-mediated transfer as mechanisms that may play a role in carbapenemase determinants spread. Understanding the genetic mobilization of carbapenemase genes is paramount in preventing their dissemination. Here we review the carbapenemases found in A. baumannii and present an overview of the current knowledge of contributions of the various HGT mechanisms to the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem resistance in this relevant opportunistic pathogen.
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