Genomics and Phenotypical Characterization of Two New Lytic Bacteriophages for Biocontrol of Salmonella enterica

Aims: To perform the isolation, characterization and sequencing of the bacteriophages. To demonstrate that the bacteriophages can be used for biocontrol of different Salmonella enterica serovars.

Study Design: This study was an experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory in the Veterinary Hospital at the Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Passo Fundo (FAMV/UPF), Biotechnology Center (CBiotec) of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Center for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the Faculty of Veterinary of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), between January – September 2016.

Methodology: Twelve Salmonella enterica serovars (S. Anatum, S. Agona, S. Brandenburg, S. Bredeney, S. Infantis, S. Lexington, S. Panama, S. Rissen, S. Schwarzengrund, S. Tennessee, S. Enteritidis ATCC 13076 and S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028) were selected to be the hosts. We isolate, purify, produce and determine the bacteriophage titers to verify the potential for lysis of these phages against the hosts. Having determined the action of the phages against the hosts, we performed the sequencing of the bacteriophages on the Illumina Mi-Seq platform and the morphology was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: We isolated, characterized and sequenced the genome of two new bacteriophages, Salmonella phage UPF_BP1, belonging to the family Podoviridae and Salmonella phage UPF_BP2, family Myoviridae. UPF_BP1 has lytic action against seven tested Salmonella enterica serovars, while UPF_BP2 has action against the twelve tested serovars.

Conclusion: The two new bacteriophages have a lytic action against different Salmonella enterica serovars, feeding our expectations for the development of alternatives for the use of antimicrobials, being possible candidates for use as a biocontrol of Salmonella enterica in food, animals and the environment.