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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:31
Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'
Published on: May 26, 2013
Bacteriophage isolation from human saliva.
Gilad Bachrach1, M Leizerovici-Zigmond, A Zlotkin
1Department of Oral Biology, The Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. bgilad@md2.huji.ac.il
Letters in Applied Microbiology
|December 18, 2002
Summary
Bacteriophages targeting Enterococcus faecalis were detected in human saliva, persisting for over a year. This discovery suggests bacteriophages may play a role in the oral ecosystem and could be used in phage therapy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Oral Health
Background:
- Oral pathogens like Enterococcus faecalis pose challenges to dental health.
- Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, are potential tools for microbial control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and stability of bacteriophages targeting Gram-positive oral pathogens in human saliva.
- To explore the potential role of bacteriophages in the oral ecosystem.
Main Methods:
- Screening of saliva samples from 31 human donors.
- Detection of bacteriophages specific to Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Actinomyces viscosus, and Enterococcus faecalis.
Main Results:
- Bacteriophages targeting Enterococcus faecalis were identified in 7 out of 31 saliva samples.
- Enterococcus faecalis phages remained detectable in one donor's saliva after one month and one year.
- No bacteriophages were detected for the other tested oral pathogens.
Conclusions:
- The consistent presence and long-term stability of Enterococcus faecalis bacteriophages in saliva indicate their potential significance in the oral microbial community.
- These findings support the consideration of phage therapy as a novel strategy for managing oral bacterial infections.
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