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Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
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Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

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Complete genome sequences of Escherichia coli phages Huey, Dewey, and Louie

Enea Maffei1,2, Luc Willi1,2, Alexander Harms1,2

  • 1Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland.

Microbiology Resource Announcements
|June 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

New bacteriophages, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, infect Escherichia coli K-12 by targeting its O-antigen. Their genomes were sequenced, revealing they belong to the Lederbergvirus genus of podoviruses, similar to phage P22.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and play crucial roles in microbial ecosystems.
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) K-12 is a widely studied bacterial model organism.
  • Bacteriophage P22 is a well-characterized model podovirus that infects Salmonella Typhimurium.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize newly discovered bacteriophages Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
  • To determine the host receptor and genomic features of these novel phages.
  • To understand their taxonomic relationship to other podoviruses.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
  • Genome sequencing and analysis of the identified bacteriophages.
  • Identification of the O16-type O-antigen as the specific host receptor for these phages.

Main Results:

  • Bacteriophages Huey, Dewey, and Louie were identified as new viruses infecting E. coli K-12.
  • The genomes of these phages were sequenced, with sizes of 38,575, 40,352, and 38,040 bp.
  • These phages utilize the E. coli O16-type O-antigen for host cell entry.

Conclusions:

  • Huey, Dewey, and Louie represent a novel group of podoviruses infecting E. coli.
  • Their genomic characteristics place them within the Lederbergvirus genus.
  • These findings contribute to the understanding of bacteriophage diversity and host-pathogen interactions in E. coli.
Keywords:
Escherichia coliLederbergvirusO-antigenP22

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