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Isolation and Genomic Characterization of Two Lytic Cutibacterium acnes Phages Defines Two Novel Pahexavirus Species

Anastasia A Vorobeva1, Aleksei M Vorobev1, Peter V Evseev2

  • 1G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, 125212 Moscow, Russia.

Viruses
|February 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Two novel bacteriophages, NS-ph1 and NS-ph2, were isolated and characterized for their potential as antibacterial agents against acne vulgaris. These lytic phages show broad activity against Cutibacterium acnes, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance in Cutibacterium acnes necessitates alternative acne vulgaris treatments.
  • Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are being explored as therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize novel lytic bacteriophages effective against Cutibacterium acnes.
  • To evaluate the potential of these bacteriophages for phage therapy in acne management.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of bacteriophages from acne lesions.
  • Characterization of lytic activity, adsorption, and growth kinetics.
  • Genome sequencing and comparative genomics.

Main Results:

  • Two lytic bacteriophages, NS-ph1 and NS-ph2, were identified with broad activity against 27 C. acnes strains.
  • Phages demonstrated rapid adsorption, short latent periods (2-4h), and significant burst sizes (59-70 PFU/cell).
  • Genome analysis revealed no lysogeny, toxin, or antibiotic resistance genes; phages belong to the Pahexavirus genus.

Conclusions:

  • NS-ph1 and NS-ph2 are well-characterized lytic Pahexavirus phages.
  • These phages are promising candidates for developing novel anti-acne phage therapies.
  • The findings contribute to the understanding of Pahexavirus diversity and phage-based acne treatment.
Keywords:
Cutibacterium acnesPahexavirusesacnebacteriophagesgenomic characterizationphage therapyphenotypic characterization

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