Bacteriophages Infecting the Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Disciplines
Bacteria | Food Microbiology | Virology | Viruses
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most prevalent opportunistic bacterial pathogen in hospital-acquired infections which may lead to diseases such as pneumonia, malignant external otitis, bacterial keratitis, and green nail syndrome. Previously, P. aeruginosa infections were treated with antibiotics; however, P. aeruginosa has developed antibiotic resistance which causes treatment to be more difficult. Since using antibiotics to treat infections is difficult, there has been increased interest in effective alternatives to antibiotics such as bacteriophages. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect and kill their host (bacteria). Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of phages against bacteria; therefore, phages may be the most effective alternative to antibiotics. This study characterizes and evaluates the effectiveness of two isolated phages (Φ1 and Φ2) against P. aeruginosa. The phages’ DNA, and electron microscope pictures were analyzed to characterize the two phages. Φ1 resides in the Siphoviridae family and Φ2 resides in the Myoviridae family. The growth curves and host ranges were analyzed to evaluate potential effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. Φ1 has a latent period of 10 minutes and a burst size of 14 PFU per infected cell. Φ2 has a latent period of 5 minutes and a burst size of 229 PFU per infected cell. A short latent period and large burst size indicate a short reproduction cycle and production of a large number of virions which is desirable for a biocontrol agent. Φ1 was not able to infect and kill one strain of P. aeruginosa while Φ2 was able to infect and kill three strains of P. aeruginosa. The effectiveness of the phage infection against P. aeruginosa will be evaluated in model food systems.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Jean Lu
Bacteriophages Infecting the Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most prevalent opportunistic bacterial pathogen in hospital-acquired infections which may lead to diseases such as pneumonia, malignant external otitis, bacterial keratitis, and green nail syndrome. Previously, P. aeruginosa infections were treated with antibiotics; however, P. aeruginosa has developed antibiotic resistance which causes treatment to be more difficult. Since using antibiotics to treat infections is difficult, there has been increased interest in effective alternatives to antibiotics such as bacteriophages. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect and kill their host (bacteria). Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of phages against bacteria; therefore, phages may be the most effective alternative to antibiotics. This study characterizes and evaluates the effectiveness of two isolated phages (Φ1 and Φ2) against P. aeruginosa. The phages’ DNA, and electron microscope pictures were analyzed to characterize the two phages. Φ1 resides in the Siphoviridae family and Φ2 resides in the Myoviridae family. The growth curves and host ranges were analyzed to evaluate potential effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. Φ1 has a latent period of 10 minutes and a burst size of 14 PFU per infected cell. Φ2 has a latent period of 5 minutes and a burst size of 229 PFU per infected cell. A short latent period and large burst size indicate a short reproduction cycle and production of a large number of virions which is desirable for a biocontrol agent. Φ1 was not able to infect and kill one strain of P. aeruginosa while Φ2 was able to infect and kill three strains of P. aeruginosa. The effectiveness of the phage infection against P. aeruginosa will be evaluated in model food systems.