1
|
Holzer K, Marongiu L, Detert K, Venturelli S, Schmidt H, Hoelzle LE. Phage applications for biocontrol of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Int J Food Microbiol 2025; 439:111267. [PMID: 40382813 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2025.111267] [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: 01/31/2025] [Revised: 05/07/2025] [Accepted: 05/10/2025] [Indexed: 05/20/2025]
Abstract
Foodborne outbreaks are becoming increasingly common and linked to zoonotic diseases caused by microbial spillover from wild or farm animals. Furthermore, agricultural animals could be considered reservoirs of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms. Escherichia coli O157:H7, a widespread foodborne pathogen, poses a substantial hazard due to its ubiquitous environmental distribution, MDR phenotypes, and life-threatening pathogenicity. This bacterium produces a potent toxin (Shiga toxin, Stx) encoded by prophages (Stx-phage). In addition to antibiotic resistance, E. coli O157:H7 has been shown to express more Stx upon treatment with antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and metronidazole than controls. The combination of MDR and increased pathogenicity upon antibiotic treatment requires the development of alternatives for treating and preventing E. coli O157:H7 and related bacteria. Bacterial viruses (phages) are gaining popularity in clinical and veterinary settings due to their high antibacterial activities and lack of side effects in animals. Phage application in food production can help reduce the spread of E. coli O157:H7 and other Stx-producing E. coli (STEC), thus decreasing the burden of infection and economic loss due to these foodborne zoonoses. The present review will provide an update on phage utilization in the food industry to reduce the STEC load, with particular focus on O157:H7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Holzer
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Animal Science, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - L Marongiu
- Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - K Detert
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - S Venturelli
- Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; Institute of Physiology, Department of Vegetative and Clinical Physiology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - H Schmidt
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - L E Hoelzle
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Animal Science, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abdo Ahmad TA, El Houjeiry SA, Abou Fayad A, Kanj SS, Matar GM, Saba ES. Isolation and Genomic Analysis of Escherichia coli Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon. Antibiotics (Basel) 2025; 14:458. [PMID: 40426525 PMCID: PMC12108427 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics14050458] [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: 02/19/2025] [Revised: 04/20/2025] [Accepted: 04/20/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Escherichia coli (E. coli), a prevalent Gram-negative bacterium, is a frequent cause of illness. The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant strains, complicating antimicrobial therapy and emphasizing the need for natural alternatives such as phages. METHODS In this study, a novel Escherichia coli phage, AUBRB02, was isolated from sewage and characterized through whole-genome sequencing, host range assays, and biofilm elimination assays. The phage's stability and infectivity were assessed under various pH and temperature conditions, and different E. coli strains. RESULTS Phage AUBRB02 has an incubation period of 45 min, a lysis period of 10 min, and a burst size of 30 phages/infected cell. It is stable across pH 5.0-9.0 and temperatures from 4 °C to 60 °C. Treatment with AUBRB02 significantly reduced post-formation E. coli biofilms, as indicated by lower OD values compared with the positive control. The whole genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 166,871 base pairs with a G + C (Guanine and Cytosine content) content of 35.47%. AUBRB02 belongs to the Tequatrovirus genus, sharing 93% intergenomic similarity with its closest RefSeq relative, and encodes 262 coding sequences, including 10 tRNAs. CONCLUSIONS AUBRB02 demonstrates high infectivity and stability under diverse conditions. Its genomic features and similarity to related phages highlight its potential for phage therapy, offering promising prospects for the targeted treatment of E. coli infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tasnime A. Abdo Ahmad
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (T.A.A.A.); (S.A.E.H.); (A.A.F.); (G.M.M.)
| | - Samar A. El Houjeiry
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (T.A.A.A.); (S.A.E.H.); (A.A.F.); (G.M.M.)
| | - Antoine Abou Fayad
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (T.A.A.A.); (S.A.E.H.); (A.A.F.); (G.M.M.)
| | - Souha S. Kanj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Ghassan M. Matar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (T.A.A.A.); (S.A.E.H.); (A.A.F.); (G.M.M.)
| | - Esber S. Saba
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (T.A.A.A.); (S.A.E.H.); (A.A.F.); (G.M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gomes Dallepiane F, Alejandro Coimbra Nogueira M, Menezes dos Anjos L, De Souza Melo G, Paulo De Carli J, Henriques B, Fongaro G, Cristiane Cabral Cruz A. Bacteriophages as potential therapeutic agents in the control of bacterial infections. EXCLI JOURNAL 2025; 24:524-526. [PMID: 40376432 PMCID: PMC12078781 DOI: 10.17179/excli2025-8145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2025] [Indexed: 05/18/2025]
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Gomes Dallepiane
- Post-Graduation Program of Dentistry, Center for Education and Research on Dental Implants, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Lucas Menezes dos Anjos
- Post-Graduation Program of Dentistry, Center for Education and Research on Dental Implants, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Gilberto De Souza Melo
- Department of Public Health, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - João Paulo De Carli
- Post-Graduation Program in Dentistry, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Henriques
- Post-Graduation Program of Dentistry, Center for Education and Research on Dental Implants, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Fongaro
- Applied Virology Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Ariadne Cristiane Cabral Cruz
- Post-Graduation Program of Dentistry, Center for Education and Research on Dental Implants, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Applied Virology Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Su J, Tan Y, Liu S, Zou H, Huang X, Chen S, Zhang H, Li S, Zeng H. Characterization of a novel lytic phage vB_AbaM_AB4P2 encoding depolymerase and its application in eliminating biofilms formed by Acinetobacter baumannii. BMC Microbiol 2025; 25:123. [PMID: 40057696 PMCID: PMC11889872 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-025-03854-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2025] [Indexed: 05/13/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acinetobacter baumannii strains are a primary cause of hospital-acquired infections. This bacterium frequently causes biofilm-related infections, notably ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-related infections, which exhibit remarkable resistance to antibiotic treatment, posing a severe challenge in the prevention of A. baumannii infections. Therefore, strategies to eliminate the biofilm of A. baumannii in catheters are becoming increasingly important. Phages are capable of lysing bacteria and have a certain effect on the ablation of biofilms. METHODS Sewage treatment plant water was collected for the isolation of A. baumannii phages. The morphological, host range, one-step growth, temperature and pH stability, bactericidal activity, sequencing and genomic analysis were performed to characterize the isolated phage. The three-dimensional structure of the tail fiber protein was predicted by AlphaFold3. The efficacy of phage in clearing biofilms of A. baumannii from 24-well plates and PVC catheters was also evaluated. RESULTS In this study, A. baumannii lytic phage vB_AbaM_AB4P2 was isolated from sewage treatment plant water, showing a clear plaque with halo zone. One-step growth assays unveiled a 20-minute latent period and a burst size of 61 plaque forming unit/cell (PFU/cell). At the same time, phage AB4P2 exhibited remarkable stability at pH 3-11 and temperatures 30-70 °C. Its dsDNA genome is composed of 45,680 bp with a G + C content of 46.13%. Genomic and phylogenetic analysis situated phage AB4P2 as a new species of Caudoviricetes class. Its fiber protein possesses a pectin lyase-like domain that is linked to depolymerase activity, playing a crucial role in disrupting biofilms. Additionally, it also encodes a lysis cassette comprising endolysin, holin and Rz-like spanin, yet lacks any genes responsible for antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Phage AB4P2 can completely inhibit A. baumannii growth for 16 h. In the 24-well plate and the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) catheter model experiments, phage AB4P2 achieved a significant biofilm ablation rate and effectively killed the live bacterial cells in the biofilm. CONCLUSIONS Phage AB4P2 had good environmental stability and strong ability to inhibit the growth of A. baumannii and destroy formed biofilms by A. baumannii. It exhibits promising potential for development as an alternative environmental disinfectant against A. baumannii in the hospital. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER Not applicable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Su
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Yujing Tan
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Shenshen Liu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Huanhuan Zou
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Xiaoyi Huang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Siyi Chen
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Shaoting Li
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Haiyan Zeng
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Waihuan West Road 100, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|