The Application of Bacteriophage Diagnostics for Bacterial Pathogens in the Agricultural Supply Chain: From Farm-to-Fork

Abstract

Bacteriophages (phages) have great potential not only as therapeutics but as diagnostics. Indeed, they have been developed and used to diagnose and detect bacterial infections, primarily in human clinical settings. The ability to rapidly detect and control bacterial pathogens in agriculture is of primary importance to maintain food security, improve animal health, and prevent the passage of zoonotic pathogens into the human population. Culture-based detection methods are often labor-intensive, and require further confirmatory tests, increasing costs and processing times needed for diagnostics. Molecular detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction are commonly used to determine the safety of food, however, a major drawback is their inability to differentiate between viable and nonviable bacterial pathogens in food. Phage diagnostics have been proven to be rapid, capable of identifying viable pathogens and do not require cultivation to detect bacteria. Phage detection takes advantage of the specificity of interaction between phage and their hosts. Furthermore, phage detection is cost effective, which is vitally important in agricultural supply chains where there is a drive to keep costs down to ensure that the cost of food does not increase. The full potential of phage detection/diagnostics is not wholly realized or commercialized. This review explores the current use and potential future scope of phage diagnostics and their application to various bacterial pathogens across agriculture and food supply chains.

Efficacy and clinical potential of phage therapy in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections: A review

“…An additional critical area of focus is the development of rapid and precise diagnostic tools for bacterial strain identification, which is essential for the timely and effective deployment of phage therapy [ 136 ]. Bridging the gap between in vitro efficacy and clinical applicability remains a significant concern, necessitating concerted efforts to translate laboratory success into tangible clinical outcomes.…”

Complete genome sequences and characteristics of mycobacteriophages Diminimus, Dulcita, Glaske16, and Koreni

“…These viruses play crucial roles in the global ecosystem and impact not only bacterial physiology, diversity, abundance, and virulence but also human, animal, and plant health ( 3 , 4 ). On the practical side, bacteriophages have multiple applications, including disease diagnosis, phage therapy, food safety, disinfection, correcting dysbiosis, pest control, biosensing, and bioremediation ( 4 – 9 ). Here, we report on four novel lysogenic bacteriophages.…”

Bacteriophages as Biotechnological Tools

“…The application of bacteriophages is not limited to medical use in animals and humans. In agriculture, they are used to treat different problems with bacterial contamination [ 68 , 69 , 70 ]. In the food industry, they are used as a microbiological control method for undesirable pathogens, increasing food safety [ 71 , 72 ].…”