BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS AGALACTIAE

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Virology

Background:

• Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a significant pathogen causing neonatal infections and increasing invasive diseases in adults.
• The rise of antibiotic-resistant GBS strains necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies.
• Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are being investigated as potential antibacterial agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize bacteriophages with activity against Streptococcus agalactiae.
• To evaluate bacteriophages as a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating GBS infections.

Main Methods:

• Collection of 257 anovaginal swabs from March 2019 to March 2020.
• Identification of 87 Streptococcus agalactiae strains using standard CDC guidelines.
• Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages using standard and modified methods, including analysis of their life cycle, biological characteristics, morphology, adsorption, and host range.

Main Results:

• Two bacteriophages, vB_GBS_1 and vB_GBS_2, belonging to the Syphoviridae family, were successfully isolated and identified.
• These bacteriophages demonstrated activity against Streptococcus agalactiae.
• Detailed studies on the biological characteristics, morphology, adsorption, and host range of the isolated bacteriophages were conducted.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully identified two novel bacteriophages active against Streptococcus agalactiae.
• These findings support the potential of bacteriophages as a viable alternative therapeutic approach against GBS infections.
• Further research into these bacteriophages could lead to new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant GBS.