Novel Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteriophage Aristophanes Encoding Structural Polysaccharide Deacetylase

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Genomics

Background:

• Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical nosocomial pathogen, frequently exhibiting extreme drug resistance.
• Lytic bacteriophages and their enzymes are potential antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize a novel virulent bacteriophage, Aristophanes, isolated against Acinetobacter baumannii.
• To investigate its biological features, genomic organization, and host interaction mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and characterization of bacteriophage Aristophanes on Acinetobacter baumannii K26.
• Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
• Identification of phage-encoded enzymes, specifically tailspike deacetylase.

Main Results:

• Phage Aristophanes was identified as a novel virulent bacteriophage.
• Phylogenetic analysis places Aristophanes within a new genus of the Autographiviridae family.
• Aristophanes is the first reported Acinetobacter baumannii phage encoding a tailspike deacetylase, responsible for O-acetylation of K26 capsular polysaccharide.

Conclusions:

• Phage Aristophanes represents a new genus within the Autographiviridae family.
• The unique tailspike deacetylase activity of Aristophanes offers a novel mechanism for targeting Acinetobacter baumannii.
• This discovery holds promise for developing phage-based therapies against difficult-to-treat Acinetobacter baumannii infections.