Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review
Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) comprises eight (sub)species, with several opportunistic pathogenic members. These SBSEC species are associated with metabolic disorders in ruminants, resulting in economic losses to the global livestock industry. Moreover, the emergence of a...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1466437/full |
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| author | Seon Young Park Seon Young Park Seongwon Seo Ji Hyung Kim |
| author_facet | Seon Young Park Seon Young Park Seongwon Seo Ji Hyung Kim |
| author_sort | Seon Young Park |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) comprises eight (sub)species, with several opportunistic pathogenic members. These SBSEC species are associated with metabolic disorders in ruminants, resulting in economic losses to the global livestock industry. Moreover, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in SBSEC strains, particularly against commonly used antibiotics, poses serious concerns to the livestock industry. Therefore, alternative approaches to control SBSEC infections have garnered increased attention, and several applications of bacteriophages (phages) have exhibited promising results. Research on SBSEC and their phages has been limited, particularly in livestock production. However, advancements in molecular techniques and a growing interest in alternative strategies to combat AMR have brought SBSEC and their phages into the spotlight. Molecular techniques, such as whole-genome sequencing, have revolutionized the accurate identification and classification of SBSEC, resulting in the elucidation of their ecological and pathogenic roles. SBSEC-infecting phages exhibit remarkable diversity and potential as biocontrol agents, with phage-derived endolysins offering targeted regulation of the SBSEC populations in the rumen. Despite recent achievements, knowledge gaps exist in understanding phage–host interactions and evaluating the efficacy of phage in biologically relevant models, warranting the integration of ex vivo, in vivo, and in silico approaches. Here, we comprehensively review the current knowledge regarding the taxonomy, AMR characteristics, and diversity of SBSEC, and the potential of SBSEC-specific phages, focusing on recent advances in basic research and biotechnological applications in ruminants. Harnessing the potential of SBSEC-specific phages and their derivatives as innovative solutions should help promote overall animal health and the production of antibiotic-free livestock. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-75bbee20b7824aedbf9d7b8e8e5ae282 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-75bbee20b7824aedbf9d7b8e8e5ae2822025-08-20T01:53:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-05-011210.3389/fvets.2025.14664371466437Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a reviewSeon Young Park0Seon Young Park1Seongwon Seo2Ji Hyung Kim3Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaVeterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of KoreaDivision of Animal and Dairy Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of KoreaStreptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) comprises eight (sub)species, with several opportunistic pathogenic members. These SBSEC species are associated with metabolic disorders in ruminants, resulting in economic losses to the global livestock industry. Moreover, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in SBSEC strains, particularly against commonly used antibiotics, poses serious concerns to the livestock industry. Therefore, alternative approaches to control SBSEC infections have garnered increased attention, and several applications of bacteriophages (phages) have exhibited promising results. Research on SBSEC and their phages has been limited, particularly in livestock production. However, advancements in molecular techniques and a growing interest in alternative strategies to combat AMR have brought SBSEC and their phages into the spotlight. Molecular techniques, such as whole-genome sequencing, have revolutionized the accurate identification and classification of SBSEC, resulting in the elucidation of their ecological and pathogenic roles. SBSEC-infecting phages exhibit remarkable diversity and potential as biocontrol agents, with phage-derived endolysins offering targeted regulation of the SBSEC populations in the rumen. Despite recent achievements, knowledge gaps exist in understanding phage–host interactions and evaluating the efficacy of phage in biologically relevant models, warranting the integration of ex vivo, in vivo, and in silico approaches. Here, we comprehensively review the current knowledge regarding the taxonomy, AMR characteristics, and diversity of SBSEC, and the potential of SBSEC-specific phages, focusing on recent advances in basic research and biotechnological applications in ruminants. Harnessing the potential of SBSEC-specific phages and their derivatives as innovative solutions should help promote overall animal health and the production of antibiotic-free livestock.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1466437/fullStreptococcus bovis/equinus complex (SBSEC)ruminantsmetabolic disordersbacteriophagebiocontrol |
| spellingShingle | Seon Young Park Seon Young Park Seongwon Seo Ji Hyung Kim Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review Frontiers in Veterinary Science Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex (SBSEC) ruminants metabolic disorders bacteriophage biocontrol |
| title | Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review |
| title_full | Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review |
| title_fullStr | Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review |
| title_short | Current understanding of the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review |
| title_sort | current understanding of the streptococcus bovis equinus complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants a review |
| topic | Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex (SBSEC) ruminants metabolic disorders bacteriophage biocontrol |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1466437/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT seonyoungpark currentunderstandingofthestreptococcusbovisequinuscomplexanditsbacteriophagesinruminantsareview AT seonyoungpark currentunderstandingofthestreptococcusbovisequinuscomplexanditsbacteriophagesinruminantsareview AT seongwonseo currentunderstandingofthestreptococcusbovisequinuscomplexanditsbacteriophagesinruminantsareview AT jihyungkim currentunderstandingofthestreptococcusbovisequinuscomplexanditsbacteriophagesinruminantsareview |