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Published on: April 9, 2015
Isolation and molecular characterization of the Salmonella Typhimurium orphan phage Arash
Mohammad Hashem Yousefi1, Jeroen Wagemans2, Seyed Shahram Shekarforoush1
1Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71946- 84471, Iran.
Abstract:
The current threat of multidrug resistant strains necessitates development of alternatives to antibiotics such as bacteriophages. This study describes the isolation and characterization of a novel Salmonella Typhimurium phage 'Arash' from hospital wastewater in Leuven, Belgium. Arash has a myovirus morphology with a 95 nm capsid and a 140 nm tail. The host range of Arash is restricted to its isolation host. Approximately 86% of the phage particles are adsorbed to a host cell within 10 min. Arash has latent period of 65 min and burst size of 425 PFU/cell. Arash has a dsDNA genome of 180,819 bp with GC content of 53.02% with no similarities to any characterized phages, suggesting Arash as a novel species in the novel 'Arashvirus' genus. Arash carries no apparent lysogeny-, antibiotic resistance- nor virulence-related genes. Proteome analysis revealed 116 proteins as part of the mature phage particles of which 27 could be assigned a function. Therefore, the present findings shed light on the morphological, microbiological and genomic characteristics of Arash and suggest its potential application as therapeutic and/or biocontrol agent.
Insights
A novel bacteriophage, named Arash, was isolated from hospital wastewater and characterized. This Salmonella Typhimurium phage shows potential as a therapeutic alternative to antibiotics due to its unique genomic and biological properties.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria necessitates the exploration of alternative antimicrobial strategies.
- Bacteriophages (phages) represent a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel bacteriophage targeting Salmonella Typhimurium.
- To evaluate the potential of this new phage as a therapeutic or biocontrol agent.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacteriophage from hospital wastewater.
- Morphological characterization using electron microscopy.
- Host range determination and adsorption assays.
- Replication cycle analysis (latent period, burst size).
- Genomic sequencing and analysis (genome size, GC content, gene content).
- Proteome analysis of mature phage particles.
Main Results:
- A novel Salmonella Typhimurium phage, 'Arash', was isolated and identified as a myovirus.
- Arash exhibits a restricted host range, a latent period of 65 min, and a burst size of 425 PFU/cell.
- The phage possesses a 180,819 bp dsDNA genome with unique genetic features, suggesting a new species and genus ('Arashvirus').
- No lysogeny, antibiotic resistance, or virulence genes were detected in Arash.
- Proteome analysis identified 116 proteins, with 27 functionally assigned.
Conclusions:
- The characterized phage 'Arash' is a novel species with distinct morphological, microbiological, and genomic properties.
- Arash lacks undesirable genes, enhancing its safety profile for therapeutic applications.
- The findings support the potential of Arash as a viable therapeutic agent or biocontrol strategy against Salmonella Typhimurium infections.
