Identification and characterization of two Bacillus anthracis bacteriophages

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Genomics

Background:

• Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium recognized as a potential biowarfare agent.
• Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, play crucial roles in bacterial community dynamics and have potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Bacillus anthracis phages are valuable for etiological diagnostics and hold promise for clinical treatments and disinfection during anthrax outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize novel temperate bacteriophages targeting Bacillus anthracis.
• To determine the genomic and morphological features of the isolated phages.
• To evaluate the potential of these phages as diagnostic tools for Bacillus anthracis infections.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and characterization of two temperate Bacillus anthracis phages: vB_BanS_A16R1 (A16R1) and vB_BanS_A16R4 (A16R4).
• Morphological analysis using electron microscopy (siphovirus-like characteristics).
• Whole-genome sequencing to determine genome size and phylogenetic classification.

Main Results:

• Phages A16R1 and A16R4 were isolated and identified as siphoviruses.
• Genome sequencing revealed lengths of 36,569 bp for A16R1 and 40,059 bp for A16R4.
• A16R1 was classified under the genus Wbetavirus, while A16R4, the first of its genus (Hubeivirus) to lyse B. anthracis, demonstrated specific lysis capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The isolated phages A16R1 and A16R4 exhibit specific lytic activity against Bacillus anthracis.
• These phages represent valuable tools for the specific identification and diagnosis of anthrax.
• The findings support the potential use of these bacteriophages in developing novel diagnostic strategies for Bacillus anthracis infections.