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Genomic and Ecogenomic Characterization of Proteus mirabilis Bacteriophages

Diana R Alves1,2,3, Jonathan Nzakizwanayo1,4, Cinzia Dedi1

  • 1School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophage therapy shows promise for controlling Proteus mirabilis biofilms in catheterized patients. This study characterized five phages, revealing new insights into their biology and evolution for potential therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Biofilm research

Background:

  • Proteus mirabilis forms crystalline biofilms, complicating care for catheterized patients.
  • Bacteriophage therapy is a potential solution, but few P. mirabilis phages are characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Characterize five novel phages infecting P. mirabilis.
  • Investigate their potential for biofilm reduction.
  • Explore their ecological and evolutionary relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphology.
  • Genome sequencing for genetic analysis.
  • Ecogenomic profiling and tetranucleotide analysis for evolutionary insights.
  • Host range assays.

Main Results:

  • Four phages (vB_PmiP_RS1pmA, vB_PmiP_RS1pmB, vB_PmiP_RS3pmA, vB_PmiP_RS8pmA) exhibited Podoviridae morphology and related genomes.
  • One phage (vB_PimP_RS51pmB) showed Myoviridae morphology with a distinct genome.
  • Phages were not associated with urinary tract viromes.
  • vB_PimP_RS51pmB sequences found in gut/oral microbiomes, with evolutionary links to Morganellaceae.

Conclusions:

  • Characterized phages offer potential for P. mirabilis biofilm control.
  • vB_PimP_RS51pmB demonstrates broader host range, infecting M. morganii.
  • Phylogenetic analysis reveals phage-host evolutionary dynamics.
Keywords:
bacteriophagebiofilmscathetersecogenomicsphage therapy

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