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Updated: Sep 19, 2025
09:23
Understanding the Impact of Temperate Bacteriophages on Their Lysogens Through Transcriptomics
Published on: January 5, 2024
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Genomic analysis and lysogenic conversion of novel RAP44-like phages in Riemerella anatipestifer
Junxuan Zhang1, Xiaolu He1, Jinzhen Hao1
1College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, PR China; National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, PR China.
Poultry Science
|June 5, 2025
Summary
This study characterizes Riemerella anatipestifer prophages, revealing how lysogenic conversion impacts bacterial fitness and antibiotic resistance. These findings support developing phage-based control strategies for this waterfowl pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Background:
- Riemerella anatipestifer is a significant waterfowl pathogen causing economic losses.
- Limited prevention and control methods necessitate understanding its biology.
- Prophages, viruses integrated into bacterial genomes, can influence host traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize prophages of Riemerella anatipestifer.
- To investigate the role of lysogenic conversion in host fitness and antibiotic resistance.
- To explore potential phage-based control strategies for R. anatipestifer infections.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of temperate phages from clinical R. anatipestifer strains.
- Development of lysogenic strains by integrating phages into a susceptible R. anatipestifer host (JW1).
- Genomic analysis, electron microscopy, growth curve analysis, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of lysogenic strains.
Main Results:
- Five temperate phages (PJA1, PJO17, PJR4, PJL1, PJX6) were isolated with stable properties and high similarity to known Riemerella phages.
- Lysogenic conversion conferred resistance to superinfection and altered bacterial morphology (thicker, shorter).
- Lysogeny reduced susceptibility to specific antibiotics (rifampin, florfenicol) and demonstrated spontaneous induction and horizontal gene transfer.
Conclusions:
- Prophages are prevalent in R. anatipestifer and lysogenic conversion is a natural adaptation.
- Lysogeny influences R. anatipestifer fitness, morphology, and antibiotic resistance.
- Understanding prophage-host interactions provides a basis for developing novel phage-based disease control strategies.
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