Characterization of the Novel Phage vB_VpaP_FE11 and Its Potential Role in Controlling Vibrio parahaemolyticus Biofilms

Abstract

Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes aquatic vibriosis. Its biofilm protects it from antibiotics; therefore, a new different method is needed to control V. parahaemolyticus for food safety. Phage therapy represents an alternative strategy to control biofilms. In this study, the lytic Vibrio phage vB_VpaP_FE11 (FE11) was isolated from the sewers of Guangzhou Huangsha Aquatic Market. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that FE11 has a typical podovirus morphology. Its optimal stability temperature and pH range were found to be 20–50 °C and 5–10 °C, respectively. It was completely inactivated following ultraviolet irradiation for 20 min. Its latent period is 10 min and burst size is 37 plaque forming units/cell. Its double-stranded DNA genome is 43,397 bp long, with a G + C content of 49.24% and 50 predicted protein-coding genes. As a lytic phage, FE11 not only prevented the formation of biofilms but also could destroy the formed biofilms effectively. Overall, phage vB_VpaP_FE11 is a potential biological control agent against V. parahaemolyticus and the biofilm it produces.

Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Novel Vibrio parahaemolyticus Phage vB_VpaP_DE10

“…In order to investigate the genetic diversities of Vibrio phages isolated by our group, the whole genome alignment between phage vB_VpaP_DE10 and phages vB_VpP_BA6 [ 13 ], vB_VpP_DE17 [ 15 ], vB_VpP_FE11 [ 16 ], vB_VpS_BA3, and vB_VpS_CA8 [ 12 ] was performed. As showed in Figure 6 , sequence comparison allowed for clear discrimination of three kinds of genomes.…”

“…Based on the virionic morphology and genome analysis, phage vB_VpaP_DE10 was a member of the Autographiviridae family. Several Autographiviridae phages specific for V. parahaemolyticus have been studied, such as phage vB_VpP_DE17 [ 15 ], phage vB_VpP_FE11 [ 16 ], phage vB_VpaP_MGD2 [ 14 ], phage vB_VpaP_AL-1 [ 32 ], phage VP93 [ 33 ], phage OWB [ 34 ], phage vB_VpaP_KF1, and phage vB_VpaP_KF2 [ 35 ]. Each phage has a different growth profile that can be used to evaluate the potential for application.…”

“…Each phage has a different growth profile that can be used to evaluate the potential for application. Previous studies on V. parahaemolyticus phages of Autographiviridae family showed a latency period of 5–30 min and burst size of 37–244 PFU per cell [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 32 ]. Compared with these reports, vB_VpaP_DE10 had a relatively long latency period and a small burst size.…”

“…The sediment was resuspended in SM buffer. The CsCl density gradient centrifugation method was used to purify and concentrate phages [ 16 ]. Phage particles located near the 1.5-g/mL density band were collected and their morphological features were observed under a transmission electron microscope (Hitachi H-7650; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan).…”

In Vitro Activity, Stability and Molecular Characterization of Eight Potent Bacteriophages Infecting Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

“…In previous bacteriophage studies [ 14 , 15 ], complete information on the stability (storage condition and sensitivity towards environmental factors), in vitro activities (reproduction cycle, optimal infective dose, and adsorption rate) and molecular characterization (protein and DNA analysis) of the bacteriophages was not revealed. Hence, our study exhaustively characterizes the stability, in vitro activities and molecular profile of previously isolated bacteriophages, k2a, k2b, k2w5, k2w6, kp99, k9w5, k9w6 and k9coc, isolated from wastewater, soil and clams against Klebsiella pneumoniae [ 16 ].…”