Introducing Lu-1, a Novel Lactobacillus jensenii Phage Abundant in the Urogenital Tract

Abstract

Bacteriophages (phages) play a key role in shaping microbial communities, including those of the human body. Phages are abundant members of the urogenital tract, most often persisting through the lysogenic life cycle as prophages integrated within the genomes of their bacterial hosts. While numerous studies of the urogenital microbiota have focused on the most abundant bacterial member of this niche-Lactobacillus species-very little is known about Lactobacillus phages. Focusing on Lactobacillus jensenii strains from the urinary tract, we identified numerous prophages related to the previously characterized Lv-1 phage from a vaginal L. jensenii strain. Furthermore, we identified a new L. jensenii phage, Lu-1. Evidence suggests that both phages are abundant within the urogenital tract. CRISPR spacer sequences matching to Lv-1 and Lu-1 prophages were identified. While first detected in urinary isolates, the Lu-1 phage was also discovered in L. jensenii isolates from vaginal and perineal swabs, and both phages were found in metagenomic data sets. The prevalence of these phages in the isolates suggests that both phages are active members of the urogenital microbiota.

Probiotic lactobacilli in formulas and hygiene products for the health of the urogenital tract

“…Numerous prophages in vaginal lactobacilli were related as one of the factors affecting their depletion in vagina. 43,44…”

“… Bacteriophages are abundant members of the urogenital tract (UGT), most often persisting through the lysogenic life cycle as prophages integrated within the genomes of their bacterial hosts. Numerous prophages in vaginal lactobacilli were related as one of the factors affecting their depletion in vagina 43,44 …”

Environment-Related Genes Analysis of Limosilactobacillus fermentum Isolated from Food and Human Gut: Genetic Diversity and Adaption Evolution

“…In addition, prophage Staphy_SPbeta_like, which was of Staphylococcus origin, was dominant in food source L. fermentum, which may indicate the existence of Staphylococcus in certain niches. Prophage Lactob_LF1 [68] and Lactob_LfeSau [69], previously reported to be present in the genome of L. fermentum, were abundant in all of these L. fermentum strains.…”

An Early History of Phage Therapy in the United States: Is it Time to Reconsider?

“…There were several reasons for the rejection of phage therapy in the United States by the 1950s: (1) reports of failed therapy often due to inconsistent technique and skill in phage cultivation 33 (see figure 3 The reader is also referred to the excellent literature review and analysis by Sulakvelidze et al 34 The 21st century saw an improved understanding of bacteriophage biology and standardized methods to utilize them. Bacteriophages have been demonstrated to be constituents of normal human flora of the anterior nares, 35,36 oral cavity, 37 urogenital tract, 38 and gut. 39 Several recent studies have suggested that bacteriophages are part of microbiomes in humans.…”