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Isolation and Characterization of Lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteriophages Isolated from Sewage Samples from
Ismahen Akremi1, Maya Merabishvili2, Mouna Jlidi1
1Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Enzymatics and Biomolecules (LBMEB), Center of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS), University of Sfax, Road of Sidi Mansour km 6, P.O. Box 1177, Sfax 3018, Tunisia.
Abstract:
Bacteriophages could be a useful adjunct to antibiotics for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. In this study, lytic P. aeruginosa myoviruses PsCh, PsIn, Ps25, and Ps12on-D were isolated from Tunisian sewage samples. Phage Ps12on-D displayed an adsorption time of ~10 min, a short latency period (~10 min), and a large burst size (~115 PFU per infected cell) under standard growth conditions. All phages were active at broad temperature (4 °C to 50 °C) and pH (3.0 to 11.0) ranges and were able to lyse a wide variety of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples worldwide. Illumina sequencing revealed double-stranded DNA genomes ranging from 87,887 and 92,710 bp with high sequence identity to Pseudomonas phage PAK_P1. All four phages based on sequence analysis were assigned to the Pakpunavirus genus. The presented characterization and preclinical assessment are part of an effort to establish phage therapy treatment as an alternative strategy for the management of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections in Tunisia.
Insights
Bacteriophages show promise as a treatment for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Four novel myoviruses isolated from Tunisian sewage effectively lysed various bacterial strains, offering a potential alternative to antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* infections pose a significant global health threat.
- Antibiotic resistance necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies.
- Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and are being investigated as antimicrobial agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize lytic bacteriophages active against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* from Tunisian sewage.
- To evaluate the potential of these phages as adjuncts to antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant infections.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and purification of lytic *P. aeruginosa* myoviruses from sewage samples.
- Determination of phage adsorption time, latency period, and burst size.
- Assessment of phage activity across a range of temperatures and pH levels.
- Genomic analysis using Illumina sequencing and phylogenetic assignment.
Main Results:
- Four lytic myoviruses (PsCh, PsIn, Ps25, Ps12on-D) were isolated.
- Phage Ps12on-D exhibited rapid adsorption (~10 min), a short latency period (~10 min), and a large burst size (~115 PFU/cell).
- All phages demonstrated broad temperature (4-50 °C) and pH (3.0-11.0) stability.
- Phages lysed diverse *P. aeruginosa* strains globally and possessed double-stranded DNA genomes (87,887–92,710 bp) related to *Pseudomonas* phage PAK_P1.
- Sequence analysis assigned all four phages to the *Pakpunavirus* genus.
Conclusions:
- The characterized bacteriophages are effective against a wide spectrum of *P. aeruginosa* strains.
- These phages exhibit robust stability under various environmental conditions.
- The findings support the development of phage therapy as a viable alternative for managing multidrug-resistant *P. aeruginosa* infections, particularly in Tunisia.
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