Bacteriophages: an overview of the control strategies against multiple bacterial infections in different fields

Abstract

Bacteriophages (phages/viruses) need host bacteria to replicate and propagate.Primarily, a bacteriophage contains a head/capsid to encapsidate the genetic material. Some phages contain tails. Phages encode endolysins to hydrolyze bacterial cell wall.The two main classes of phages are lytic or virulent and lysogenic or temperate. In comparison with antibiotics, to deal with bacterial infections, phage therapy is thought to be more effective. In 1921, the use of phages against bacterial infections was first demonstrated. Later on, in humans, phage therapy was used to treat skin infections caused by Pseudomonas species. Furthermore, phages were successfully employed against infections in animalscalves, lambs, and pigs infected with Escherichia coli. In agriculture, for instance, phages have successfully been used e.g., Apple blossom infection, caused by Erwinia amylovora, was effectively catered with the use of bacteriophages. Bacteriophages were also used to control E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter contamination in food. Comparatively, phage display is a recently discovered technology, whereby, bacteriophages play a significant role. This review is an effort to collect almost recent and relevant information regarding applications and complications associated with the use of bacteriophages.

Characteristics of a Series of Three Bacteriophages Infecting Salmonella enterica Strains

“…They include reports on characterization of previously unknown bacteriophages having the potential for use in phage therapy [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], experimental studies with bacteriophages applied to poultry [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], and the use of bacteriophages in experimental phage therapy in mouse [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ] or pig [ 31 ] models. Although promising results were obtained in these studies, and economic analyses have been performed to assess costs and benefits of the use of phage therapy for the control of Salmonella in poultry [ 9 , 32 ], it is evident that the host range of the vast majority of Salmonella phages is restricted to specific strains or serovars. Therefore, characterization of more bacteriophages infecting various Salmonella serovars and creation of large collections of different bacteriophages capable of killing such differential hosts appears to be necessary for the introduction of effective anti- Salmonella phage therapy.…”

Application of Bacteriophages in Nanotechnology

“…In the lysogenic cycle, the viral genome integrates into the chromosome of bacteria and remains latent, replicating for generations [ 17 ]. When viral genetic material is incorporated into the chromosomal DNA of bacteria, it is known as a prophage [ 18 ]. The appearance of stressors, e.g., chemicals, UV radiation, or damage of the host DNA, can cause the conversion of the cycle and change from lysogenic into the lytic [ 19 ].…”

Beyond the A‐layer: adsorption of lipopolysaccharides and characterization of bacteriophage‐insensitive mutants of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida

“…If properly selected, virulent phages can rapidly penetrate into their target bacteria and lyse them promptly (Jamal et al , ). The initial step of the phage lytic cycle is its adsorption to the host receptor (Labrie et al , ).…”