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Identification and Characterization of vB_PreP_EPr2, a Lytic Bacteriophage of Pan-Drug Resistant Providencia rettgeri
Jaime L Mencke1,2, Yunxiu He1, Andrey A Filippov1
1Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
Abstract:
Providencia rettgeri is an emerging opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen with reports of increasing antibiotic resistance. Pan-drug resistant (PDR) P. rettgeri infections are a growing concern, demonstrating a need for the development of alternative treatment options which is fueling a renewed interest in bacteriophage (phage) therapy. Here, we identify and characterize phage vB_PreP_EPr2 (EPr2) with lytic activity against PDR P. rettgeri MRSN 845308, a clinical isolate that carries multiple antibiotic resistance genes. EPr2 was isolated from an environmental water sample and belongs to the family Autographiviridae, subfamily Studiervirinae and genus Kayfunavirus, with a genome size of 41,261 base pairs. Additional phenotypic characterization showed an optimal MOI of 1 and a burst size of 12.3 ± 3.4 PFU per bacterium. EPr2 was determined to have a narrow host range against a panel of clinical P. rettgeri strains. Despite this fact, EPr2 is a promising lytic phage with potential for use as an alternative therapeutic for treatment of PDR P. rettgeri infections.
Insights
Researchers identified a bacteriophage (phage) named EPr2 effective against pan-drug resistant (PDR) Providencia rettgeri. This phage therapy offers a potential alternative treatment for PDR P. rettgeri infections, addressing rising antibiotic resistance concerns.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Providencia rettgeri is an emerging opportunistic pathogen with increasing antibiotic resistance.
- Pan-drug resistant (PDR) P. rettgeri infections pose a significant clinical challenge.
- Bacteriophage therapy is gaining renewed interest as an alternative treatment strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a bacteriophage with lytic activity against PDR P. rettgeri.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the identified phage against a multi-drug resistant clinical isolate.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of bacteriophage vB_PreP_EPr2 (EPr2) from an environmental sample.
- Genomic analysis of EPr2, classifying it within the Autographiviridae family, Studiervirinae subfamily, and Kayfunavirus genus.
- Phenotypic characterization including optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) and burst size determination.
- Assessment of EPr2's host range against clinical P. rettgeri strains.
Main Results:
- Phage EPr2 demonstrated lytic activity against a PDR P. rettgeri clinical isolate (MRSN 845308).
- EPr2 has a genome size of 41,261 base pairs and specific phenotypic characteristics (optimal MOI of 1, burst size of 12.3 ± 3.4 PFU/bacterium).
- EPr2 exhibits a narrow host range against tested clinical P. rettgeri strains.
Conclusions:
- Phage EPr2 is a promising lytic phage with potential for treating PDR P. rettgeri infections.
- Despite a narrow host range, EPr2 represents a viable candidate for phage therapy development.
- Further research into EPr2 and similar phages is warranted to combat antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
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