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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
08:46
T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo
Published on: January 26, 2024
Characterization of Enterococcus faecium-Targeting Minhovirus Bacteriophages
Eric Evans1,2, Shinjiro Ojima3, Wakana Yamashita3
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
PHAGE (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Four new Minhovirus phages targeting multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium were isolated. These phages show potential for treating E. faecium infections, with mutations in the enterococcal polysaccharide antigen (epa) locus conferring resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Enterococcus faecium is a multidrug-resistant bacterium prevalent in healthcare settings.
- Bacteriophage therapy presents a potential adjunctive treatment for E. faecium infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize novel Minhovirus phages active against Enterococcus faecium.
- To investigate the mechanisms of phage resistance in E. faecium.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of four Minhovirus phages using Enterococcus faecium strain ATCC 19434.
- Genome sequencing of isolated phages (~19 kb length).
- Host range testing and in vitro evolution of phage-resistant mutants.
Main Results:
- Phages were highly related to each other and other Minhovirus phages.
- Phage activity showed a narrow host spectrum.
- Phage-resistant mutants developed mutations in enterococcal polysaccharide antigen (epa) and capsular polysaccharide (cps) loci.
- The epa locus was implicated as a putative receptor for Minhovirus phage infection.
Conclusions:
- This study expands the knowledge of phages targeting E. faecium.
- Characterized phages increase the arsenal against this important pathogen.
- Understanding phage-host interactions, particularly the role of the epa locus, is crucial for phage therapy development.
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