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Author Spotlight: Efficiently Eliminating Bacteriophages from Infected Salmonella Cultures Using Lipopolysaccharides
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Liposome-Encapsulated Bacteriophages for Enhanced Oral Phage Therapy against Salmonella spp

Joan Colom1, Mary Cano-Sarabia2, Jennifer Otero1

  • 1Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|May 10, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Liposome encapsulation significantly enhances bacteriophage stability and retention in poultry, improving Salmonella control. Encapsulated phages offer prolonged protection against Salmonella colonization in broilers compared to non-encapsulated counterparts.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Nanotechnology in Animal Health
  • Food Safety

Background:

  • Salmonella remains a significant pathogen in poultry production, necessitating effective control strategies.
  • Bacteriophages offer a targeted approach to combat bacterial infections but face challenges with stability and delivery.
  • Liposome encapsulation presents a promising method to improve phage viability and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of liposome-encapsulated bacteriophages (UAB_Phi20, UAB_Phi78, UAB_Phi87) in reducing Salmonella in poultry.
  • To assess the stability and retention of encapsulated phages in simulated gastric fluid and the chicken intestinal tract.
  • To compare the long-term protective effects of encapsulated versus non-encapsulated phages against Salmonella colonization in broilers.

Main Methods:

  • Bacteriophages were encapsulated within liposomes with characterized physicochemical properties (mean diameter, charge).
  • Phage stability was tested in simulated gastric fluid (pH 2.8).
  • Retention in the chicken intestinal tract was assessed after oral administration to broilers.
  • Efficacy against Salmonella colonization was evaluated in experimentally infected broilers through daily phage cocktail administration.

Main Results:

  • Encapsulated phages exhibited enhanced stability in simulated gastric fluid compared to non-encapsulated phages.
  • Liposome encapsulation significantly improved phage retention in the chicken intestinal tract (38.1% vs. 9.5%).
  • Encapsulated phages provided sustained protection against Salmonella colonization for at least one week post-treatment cessation, unlike non-encapsulated phages.

Conclusions:

  • Liposome encapsulation is an effective strategy to enhance bacteriophage stability, delivery, and persistence in poultry.
  • This methodology offers a viable approach for developing improved phage-based solutions for Salmonella control in animal agriculture.
  • Encapsulated phage preparations are stable for storage and can be readily administered through feed or drinking water.

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