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T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo
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Characterization of a novel T4-type Stenotrophomonas maltophilia virulent phage Smp14

Chiy-Rong Chen1, Ching-Hsuan Lin, Juey-Wen Lin

  • 1Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan.

Archives of Microbiology
|April 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A novel virulent Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (Sm) phage, Smp14, was characterized. This phage shows potential for combating multidrug-resistant Sm infections, distinct from previously identified phages.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (Sm) is an opportunistic pathogen causing multidrug-resistant nosocomial infections.
  • Bacteriophages offer a potential therapeutic avenue against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel virulent Stenotrophomonas maltophilia phage, Smp14.
  • To assess its potential as a therapeutic agent against Sm.

Main Methods:

  • Electron microscopy for morphology and adsorption analysis.
  • Spot tests for lytic activity against clinical Sm isolates.
  • PFGE and HPLC for genome size and base composition analysis.
  • SDS-PAGE and sequence analysis of virion proteins and ORFs.

Main Results:

  • Smp14, a Myoviridae-like phage, lysed 37/87 clinical Sm isolates.
  • It has a latent period of ~20 min and a burst size of ~150.
  • The phage genome is ~160 kb, contains unusual modified bases, and is resistant to most restriction enzymes.
  • Phylogenetic analysis places Smp14 in a novel T4-type subgroup.

Conclusions:

  • Smp14 is a novel, virulent Stenotrophomonas maltophilia phage with unique genomic and biological properties.
  • Its lytic activity against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates suggests therapeutic potential.
  • Smp14 represents a distinct lineage within T4-type phages.

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