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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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Bacteriophage Effectiveness for Biocontrol of Foodborne Pathogens Evaluated via High-Throughput Settings
Published on: August 19, 2021
Antibacterial potential of five phages in controlling Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium
Henni Tuomala1, Tiina Nylund2, Markus Mustonen2
1Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. henni.tuomala@helsinki.fi.
Virology Journal
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Researchers isolated novel phages targeting Enterococcus bacteria, crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These phages show potential for phage therapy, even when combined with antibiotics, offering new strategies against hospital-acquired infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Phage Therapy
Background:
- Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis are significant causes of hospital-acquired infections.
- Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Enterococcus necessitates alternative treatments.
- Enterococcus is an understudied target for phage therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate Enterococcus-specific phages.
- To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of phage cocktails.
- To assess phage activity in combination with antibiotics and human serum against biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of Enterococcus phages.
- Genome analysis for therapeutic suitability and AMR genes.
- In vitro testing of phage cocktails with antibiotics and human serum.
- Biofilm reduction assays.
Main Results:
- One E. faecium-phage (fHoEfm07) and four E. faecalis-phages (Saphexavirus and Efquatrovirus genera) were isolated.
- Phages from Saphexavirus and fHoEfm07 were deemed suitable; Efquatrovirus phages contained a potential AMR gene.
- Phage-antibiotic-serum interactions varied by phage-host and antibiotic concentration.
- Phage fHoEfa03 demonstrated biofilm mass reduction.
Conclusions:
- Novel Enterococcus phages were characterized, offering insights into phage therapy potential.
- Assessment of therapeutic suitability and synergistic strategies advances foundational knowledge for phage therapy.
- This study supports the development of phage-based treatments against resistant Enterococcus infections.
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