Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon
Background/Objectives: <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>), a prevalent Gram-negative bacterium, is a frequent cause of illness. The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant strains, complicating antimicrobial therapy and emphasizing the need fo...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| author | Tasnime A. Abdo Ahmad Samar A. El Houjeiry Antoine Abou Fayad Souha S. Kanj Ghassan M. Matar Esber S. Saba |
| author_facet | Tasnime A. Abdo Ahmad Samar A. El Houjeiry Antoine Abou Fayad Souha S. Kanj Ghassan M. Matar Esber S. Saba |
| author_sort | Tasnime A. Abdo Ahmad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>), a prevalent Gram-negative bacterium, is a frequent cause of illness. The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant strains, complicating antimicrobial therapy and emphasizing the need for natural alternatives such as phages. Methods: In this study, a novel <i>Escherichia coli</i> phage, AUBRB02, was isolated from sewage and characterized through whole-genome sequencing, host range assays, and biofilm elimination assays. The phage’s stability and infectivity were assessed under various pH and temperature conditions, and different <i>E. coli</i> strains. Results: Phage AUBRB02 has an incubation period of 45 min, a lysis period of 10 min, and a burst size of 30 phages/infected cell. It is stable across pH 5.0–9.0 and temperatures from 4 °C to 60 °C. Treatment with AUBRB02 significantly reduced post-formation <i>E. coli</i> biofilms, as indicated by lower OD values compared with the positive control. The whole genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 166,871 base pairs with a G + C (Guanine and Cytosine content) content of 35.47%. AUBRB02 belongs to the <i>Tequatrovirus</i> genus, sharing 93% intergenomic similarity with its closest RefSeq relative, and encodes 262 coding sequences, including 10 tRNAs. Conclusions: AUBRB02 demonstrates high infectivity and stability under diverse conditions. Its genomic features and similarity to related phages highlight its potential for phage therapy, offering promising prospects for the targeted treatment of <i>E. coli</i> infections. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4492f8f6493444b7bb2f0a0ef80d776d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj-art-4492f8f6493444b7bb2f0a0ef80d776d2025-08-20T03:47:49ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-04-0114545810.3390/antibiotics14050458Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in LebanonTasnime A. Abdo Ahmad0Samar A. El Houjeiry1Antoine Abou Fayad2Souha S. Kanj3Ghassan M. Matar4Esber S. Saba5Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonDepartment of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonDepartment of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonDepartment of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonDepartment of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonBackground/Objectives: <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>), a prevalent Gram-negative bacterium, is a frequent cause of illness. The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant strains, complicating antimicrobial therapy and emphasizing the need for natural alternatives such as phages. Methods: In this study, a novel <i>Escherichia coli</i> phage, AUBRB02, was isolated from sewage and characterized through whole-genome sequencing, host range assays, and biofilm elimination assays. The phage’s stability and infectivity were assessed under various pH and temperature conditions, and different <i>E. coli</i> strains. Results: Phage AUBRB02 has an incubation period of 45 min, a lysis period of 10 min, and a burst size of 30 phages/infected cell. It is stable across pH 5.0–9.0 and temperatures from 4 °C to 60 °C. Treatment with AUBRB02 significantly reduced post-formation <i>E. coli</i> biofilms, as indicated by lower OD values compared with the positive control. The whole genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 166,871 base pairs with a G + C (Guanine and Cytosine content) content of 35.47%. AUBRB02 belongs to the <i>Tequatrovirus</i> genus, sharing 93% intergenomic similarity with its closest RefSeq relative, and encodes 262 coding sequences, including 10 tRNAs. Conclusions: AUBRB02 demonstrates high infectivity and stability under diverse conditions. Its genomic features and similarity to related phages highlight its potential for phage therapy, offering promising prospects for the targeted treatment of <i>E. coli</i> infections.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/5/458<i>Escherichia coli</i>phagelyticbiofilmantibacterial resistance |
| spellingShingle | Tasnime A. Abdo Ahmad Samar A. El Houjeiry Antoine Abou Fayad Souha S. Kanj Ghassan M. Matar Esber S. Saba Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon Antibiotics <i>Escherichia coli</i> phage lytic biofilm antibacterial resistance |
| title | Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon |
| title_full | Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon |
| title_fullStr | Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon |
| title_short | Isolation and Genomic Analysis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Phage AUBRB02: Implications for Phage Therapy in Lebanon |
| title_sort | isolation and genomic analysis of i escherichia coli i phage aubrb02 implications for phage therapy in lebanon |
| topic | <i>Escherichia coli</i> phage lytic biofilm antibacterial resistance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/5/458 |
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