Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Biofilms

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Avian pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (APEC) infection is a significant problem for the global chicken industry, as it decreases animal welfare and is associated with substantial economic losses. Traditionally, APEC infections have been contro...

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Main Authors: Phitchayapak Wintachai, Fahsai Thaion, Martha R. J. Clokie, Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Antibiotics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/11/1083
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author Phitchayapak Wintachai
Fahsai Thaion
Martha R. J. Clokie
Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij
author_facet Phitchayapak Wintachai
Fahsai Thaion
Martha R. J. Clokie
Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij
author_sort Phitchayapak Wintachai
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Avian pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (APEC) infection is a significant problem for the global chicken industry, as it decreases animal welfare and is associated with substantial economic losses. Traditionally, APEC infections have been controlled through the use of antibiotics, which has led to an increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant <i>E. coli</i>. Therefore, developing alternative treatments for APEC infection is crucial. <b>Methods:</b> In this study, an <i>Escherichia</i> phage specific to multidrug-resistant (MDR) APEC, designated as phage vB_EcoP_PW8 (phage vECPW8), was isolated. The morphology, phage adsorption to host cells, one-step growth curve, thermal stability, pH stability, whole-genome sequencing, antibacterial ability, and antibiofilm efficacy of phage vECPW8 were evaluated. <b>Results:</b> The results demonstrated that phage vECPW8 has a <i>Podoviridae</i> morphology and is effective at lysing bacteria. Phage vECPW8 exhibited a high absorption rate to bacterial cells (more than 85% within 10 min) and had a latent period of 20 min, with a burst size of 143 plaque-forming units per cell. Additionally, phage vECPW8 showed good temperature and pH stability. The phage displayed strong antibacterial activity in vitro, and its efficacy in controlling bacteria was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the phage has a linear genome with 69,579 base pairs. The genome analysis supported the safety of the phage, as no toxin, virulence, or resistance-related genes were detected. Phage vECPW8 was identified as a novel lytic phage in the <i>Gamaleyavirus</i> genus and <i>Schitoviridae</i> family. The phage also demonstrated antibiofilm efficacy by reducing and preventing biofilm formation, as evidenced by biofilm biomass and bacterial cell viability measurements. <b>Conclusions:</b> These results indicate that phage vECPW8 is a promising candidate for the effective treatment of MDR APEC infections in poultry.
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spelling doaj.art-3bbc34fe7db64bc69da3e95d70bae4442024-11-26T17:46:39ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822024-11-011311108310.3390/antibiotics13111083Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and BiofilmsPhitchayapak Wintachai0Fahsai Thaion1Martha R. J. Clokie2Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij3Bacteriophage Laboratory, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, ThailandBacteriophage Laboratory, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, ThailandDepartment of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKAkkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Avian pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (APEC) infection is a significant problem for the global chicken industry, as it decreases animal welfare and is associated with substantial economic losses. Traditionally, APEC infections have been controlled through the use of antibiotics, which has led to an increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant <i>E. coli</i>. Therefore, developing alternative treatments for APEC infection is crucial. <b>Methods:</b> In this study, an <i>Escherichia</i> phage specific to multidrug-resistant (MDR) APEC, designated as phage vB_EcoP_PW8 (phage vECPW8), was isolated. The morphology, phage adsorption to host cells, one-step growth curve, thermal stability, pH stability, whole-genome sequencing, antibacterial ability, and antibiofilm efficacy of phage vECPW8 were evaluated. <b>Results:</b> The results demonstrated that phage vECPW8 has a <i>Podoviridae</i> morphology and is effective at lysing bacteria. Phage vECPW8 exhibited a high absorption rate to bacterial cells (more than 85% within 10 min) and had a latent period of 20 min, with a burst size of 143 plaque-forming units per cell. Additionally, phage vECPW8 showed good temperature and pH stability. The phage displayed strong antibacterial activity in vitro, and its efficacy in controlling bacteria was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the phage has a linear genome with 69,579 base pairs. The genome analysis supported the safety of the phage, as no toxin, virulence, or resistance-related genes were detected. Phage vECPW8 was identified as a novel lytic phage in the <i>Gamaleyavirus</i> genus and <i>Schitoviridae</i> family. The phage also demonstrated antibiofilm efficacy by reducing and preventing biofilm formation, as evidenced by biofilm biomass and bacterial cell viability measurements. <b>Conclusions:</b> These results indicate that phage vECPW8 is a promising candidate for the effective treatment of MDR APEC infections in poultry.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/11/1083antibacterial activityavian pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>bacteriophagebiofilmsphage therapy
spellingShingle Phitchayapak Wintachai
Fahsai Thaion
Martha R. J. Clokie
Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Biofilms
Antibiotics
antibacterial activity
avian pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>
bacteriophage
biofilms
phage therapy
title Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Biofilms
title_full Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Biofilms
title_fullStr Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Biofilms
title_full_unstemmed Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Biofilms
title_short Isolation and Characterization of a Novel <i>Escherichia</i> Bacteriophage with Potential to Control Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Biofilms
title_sort isolation and characterization of a novel i escherichia i bacteriophage with potential to control multidrug resistant avian pathogenic i escherichia coli i and biofilms
topic antibacterial activity
avian pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>
bacteriophage
biofilms
phage therapy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/11/1083
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AT fahsaithaion isolationandcharacterizationofanoveliescherichiaibacteriophagewithpotentialtocontrolmultidrugresistantavianpathogeniciescherichiacoliiandbiofilms
AT martharjclokie isolationandcharacterizationofanoveliescherichiaibacteriophagewithpotentialtocontrolmultidrugresistantavianpathogeniciescherichiacoliiandbiofilms
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