Identify and characterize a carbapenem-resistant Salmonella enteritidis phage depolymerase Dpo52

Wei Li1, Mengyao Yuan1, Jiaxin Che1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.

Scientific Reports
|January 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies a novel phage, vB_Sen_S3P, effective against multidrug-resistant Salmonella enteritidis. Its depolymerase, Dpo52, successfully inhibited biofilm formation in carbapenem-resistant strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Salmonella enteritidis causes foodborne illness, with rising multidrug-resistant strains, particularly carbapenem-resistant isolates.
  • Bacterial biofilm formation is a key factor contributing to antibiotic resistance.
  • Limited research exists on phage depolymerases targeting carbapenem-resistant S. enteritidis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel phage, vB_Sen_S3P, and its depolymerase (Dpo52) for potential therapeutic applications against carbapenem-resistant Salmonella enteritidis.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of Dpo52 in inhibiting biofilm formation in multidrug-resistant S. enteritidis strains.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and genomic analysis of the phage vB_Sen_S3P from sewage.
  • Expression and purification of the phage depolymerase Dpo52.
  • Assessment of Dpo52's host specificity, activity, stability, and non-cytotoxicity.
  • Evaluation of Dpo52's impact on S. enteritidis biofilm formation.

Main Results:

  • Phage vB_Sen_S3P infected 22 out of 30 clinical S. enteritidis isolates, including carbapenem-resistant strains.
  • The depolymerase Dpo52 was successfully expressed, purified, and found to be stable across a wide pH and temperature range.
  • Dpo52 demonstrated non-cytotoxicity to macrophages and effectively inhibited biofilm formation in S. enteritidis via extracellular polysaccharide degradation.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first report of a Salmonella enteritidis phage depolymerase, Dpo52.
  • Dpo52 shows significant potential as a therapeutic agent to combat biofilm formation in carbapenem-resistant Salmonella enteritidis infections.