In vitro evaluation of two novel Escherichia bacteriophages against multiple drug resistant avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in phage therapy as an effective therapeutic tool against colibacillosis caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) which resulted from the increasing number of multidrug resistant (MDR) APEC strains.

In the present study, we reported the characterization of a new lytic bacteriophage (Escherichia phage AG- MK-2022. Basu) isolated from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. In addition, the in vitro bacteriolytic activity of the newly isolated phage (Escherichia phage AG- MK-2022. Basu) and the Escherichia phage VaT-2019a isolate PE17 (GenBank: MK353636.1) were assessed against MDR- APEC strains (n = 100) isolated from broiler chickens with clinical signs of colibacillosis.

Escherichia phage AG- MK-2022. Basu belongs to the Myoviridae family and exhibits a broad host range. Furthermore, the phage showed stability under a wide range of temperatures, pH values and different concentrations of NaCl. Genome analysis of the Escherichia phage AG- MK-2022. Basu revealed that the phage possesses no antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and any E. coli virulence associated genes. In vitro bacterial challenge tests demonstrated that two phages, the Escherichia phage VaT-2019a isolate PE17 and the Escherichia phage AG- MK-2022. Basu exhibited high bactericidal activity against APEC strains and lysed 95% of the tested APEC strains.

The current study findings indicate that both phages could be suggested as safe biocontrol agents and alternatives to antibiotics for controlling MDR-APEC strains isolated from broilers.