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Wang T, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Tong P, Ma W, Wang Y, Liu Y, Su Z. Isolation and identification of specific Enterococcus faecalis phage C-3 and G21-7 against Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and its application to one-day-old geese. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1385860. [PMID: 38962142 PMCID: PMC11221357 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1385860] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Colibacillosis caused by Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), including peritonitis, respiratory tract inflammation and ovaritis, is recognized as one of the most common and economically destructive bacterial diseases in poultry worldwide. In this study, the characteristics and inhibitory potential of phages were investigated by double-layer plate method, transmission electron microscopy, whole genome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and animal experiments. The results showed that phages C-3 and G21-7 isolated from sewage around goose farms infected multiple O serogroups (O1, O2, O18, O78, O157, O26, O145, O178, O103 and O104) Escherichia coli (E.coli) with a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 and 1, respectively. According to the one-step growth curve, the incubation time of both bacteriophage C-3 and G21-7 was 10 min. Sensitivity tests confirmed that C-3 and G21-6 are stable at 4 to 50 °C and pH in the range of 4 to 11. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis, phages C-3 and G21-7 belong to Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) phage species of the genus Saphexavirus of Herelleviridae family. According to genomic analysis, phage C-3 and G21-7 were 58,097 bp and 57,339 bp in size, respectively, with G+C content of 39.91% and 39.99%, encoding proteins of 97 CDS (105 to 3,993 bp) and 96 CDS (105 to 3,993 bp), and both contained 2 tRNAs. Both phages contained two tail proteins and holin-endolysin system coding genes, and neither carried resistance genes nor virulence factors. Phage mixture has a good safety profile and has shown good survival probability and feed efficiency in both treatment and prophylaxis experiments with one-day-old goslings. These results suggest that phage C-3 and G21-7 can be used as potential antimicrobials for the prevention and treatment of APEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianli Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Panpan Tong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Wanpeng Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Zhanqiang Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Drug Research and Creation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang, China
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de Melo AG, Morency C, Moineau S. Virulence-associated factors as targets for phage infection. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102471. [PMID: 38569419 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102471] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens can infect a wide range of hosts and pose a threat to public and animal health as well as to agriculture. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has increased this risk by making the treatment of bacterial infections even more challenging. Pathogenic bacteria thrive in various ecological niches, but they can also be specifically targeted and killed by bacteriophages (phages). Lytic phages are now investigated and even used, in some cases, as alternatives or complements to antibiotics for preventing or treating bacterial infections (phage therapy). As such, it is key to identify factors responsible for phage specificity and efficiency. Here, we review recent advances in virulence-associated factors that are targeted by phages. We highlight components of the bacterial cell surface, effector systems, and motility structures exploited by phages and the effects of phages on cell aggregation and communication. We also look at the fitness trade-off of phage resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra G de Melo
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Carlee Morency
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sylvain Moineau
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Félix d'Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Wang R, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Yu S, Zhuo H, Huang Y, Lyu J, Lin Y, Zhang X, Mi Z, Liu Y. Identification and characterization of the capsule depolymerase Dpo27 from phage IME-Ap7 specific to Acinetobacter pittii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1373052. [PMID: 38808067 PMCID: PMC11130378 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1373052] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the Acinetobacter genus, Acinetobacter pittii stands out as an important opportunistic infection causative agent commonly found in hospital settings, which poses a serious threat to human health. Recently, the high prevalence of carbapenem-resistant A. pittii isolates has created significant therapeutic challenges for clinicians. Bacteriophages and their derived enzymes are promising therapeutic alternatives or adjuncts to antibiotics effective against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. However, studies investigating the depolymerases specific to A. pittii strains are scarce. In this study, we identified and characterized a capsule depolymerase, Dpo27, encoded by the bacteriophage IME-Ap7, which targets A. pittii. A total of 23 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter spp. were identified as A. pittii (21.91%, 23/105), and seven A. pittii strains with various K locus (KL) types (KL14, KL32, KL38, KL111, KL163, KL207, and KL220) were used as host bacteria for phage screening. The lytic phage IME-Ap7 was isolated using A. pittii 7 (KL220) as an indicator bacterium and was observed for depolymerase activity. A putative tail fiber gene encoding a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme (Dpo27) was identified and expressed. The results of the modified single-spot assay showed that both A. pittii 7 and 1492 were sensitive to Dpo27, which was assigned the KL220 type. After incubation with Dpo27, A. pittii strain was susceptible to killing by human serum; moreover, the protein displayed no hemolytic activity against erythrocytes. Furthermore, the protein exhibited sustained activity across a wide pH range (5.0-10.0) and at temperatures between 20 and 50°C. In summary, the identified capsule depolymerase Dpo27 holds promise as an alternative treatment for combating KL220-type A. pittii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rentao Wang
- Senior Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Eighth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yannan Liu
- Emergency Medicine Clinical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Shijun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Hailong Zhuo
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jinhui Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xianglilan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Mi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Youning Liu
- Senior Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Eighth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 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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Neto S, Vieira A, Oliveira H, Espiña B. Assessing Acinetobacter baumannii virulence and treatment with a bacteriophage using zebrafish embryos. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23013. [PMID: 37289094 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300385r] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is the leading bacteria causative of nosocomial infections, with high fatality rates, mostly due to their multi-resistance to antibiotics. The capsular polysaccharide (k-type) is a major virulence factor. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect bacteria and have been used to control drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. In particular, A. baumannii phages can recognize specific capsules, from a diversity of >125 that exist. This high specificity demands the in vivo identification of the most virulent A. baumannii k-types that need to be targeted by phage therapy. Currently, the zebrafish embryo has particularly attained interest for in vivo infection modeling. In this study, an A. baumannii infection was successfully established, through the bath immersion of tail-injured zebrafish embryos, to study the virulence of eight capsule types (K1, K2, K9, K32, K38, K44, K45, and K67). The model revealed itself as capable of discerning the most virulent (K2, K9, K32, and K45), middle (K1, K38, and K67), and the less virulent (K44) strains. Additionally, the infection of the most virulent strains was controlled in vivo resorting to the same technique, with previously identified phages (K2, K9, K32, and K45 phages). Phage treatments were able to increase the average survival from 35.2% to up to 74.1% (K32 strain). All the phages performed equally well. Collectively, the results show the potential of the model to not only evaluate virulence of bacteria such as A. baumannii but also assess novel treatments' effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Neto
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
- CEB-Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Vieira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- CEB-Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Begoña Espiña
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
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Oliveira H, Domingues R, Evans B, Sutton JM, Adriaenssens EM, Turner D. Genomic Diversity of Bacteriophages Infecting the Genus Acinetobacter. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020181. [PMID: 35215775 PMCID: PMC8878043 DOI: 10.3390/v14020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of sequenced Acinetobacter phage genomes in the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration has increased significantly in recent years, from 37 in 2017 to a total of 139 as of January 2021 with genome sizes ranging from 31 to 378 kb. Here, we explored the genetic diversity of the Acinetobacter phages using comparative genomics approaches that included assessment of nucleotide similarity, shared gene content, single gene phylogeny, and the network-based classification tool vConTACT2. Phages infecting Acinetobacter sp. are genetically diverse and can be grouped into 8 clusters (subfamilies) and 46 sub-clusters (genera), of which 8 represent genomic singletons (additional genera). We propose the creation of five new subfamilies and suggest a reorganisation of the genus Obolenskvirus. These results provide an updated view of the viruses infecting Acinetobacter species, providing insights into their diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Oliveira
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar Braga, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (H.O.); (R.D.)
| | - Rita Domingues
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar Braga, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (H.O.); (R.D.)
| | - Benjamin Evans
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK;
| | - J. Mark Sutton
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Research and Evaluation, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 OJG, UK;
| | | | - Dann Turner
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
- Correspondence:
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