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Bacteriophage Effectiveness for Biocontrol of Foodborne Pathogens Evaluated via High-Throughput Settings
Published on: August 19, 2021
Bacteriophage control of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in cattle compost
1Laboratory of Sustainable Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan.
Journal of Applied Microbiology
|June 19, 2012
Summary
A novel bacteriophage, Vrep-5, effectively reduces vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in compost. This discovery offers a promising strategy for controlling VRE in animal production environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) pose a significant threat in healthcare and animal production.
- Effective strategies are needed to control VRE colonization and transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize bacteriophages targeting VRE.
- To evaluate the efficacy of an isolated bacteriophage in reducing VRE in compost.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacteriophage from bovine fecal samples using plaque assay with VRE.
- Characterization of phage morphology and lytic activity.
- Experimental inoculation of compost with VRE and phage, followed by VRE enumeration.
Main Results:
- A lytic bacteriophage, Vrep-5, belonging to the Myoviridae family, was isolated.
- Vrep-5 demonstrated efficacy in reducing VRE (Enterococcus faecium) by over 3 log(10) in experimentally inoculated compost within 24 hours.
- The phage also lysed other bacterial strains, including Enterococcus faecalis.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage Vrep-5 is effective in rapidly reducing VRE colonization in compost.
- This finding provides valuable insights for combating VRE in animal production settings.
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