Abstract
Developing novel antimicrobials capable of controlling multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens is essential to restrict the use of antibiotics. Bacteriophages (phages) constitute a major resource that can be harnessed as an alternative to traditional antimicrobial therapies. Phage ZCSE2 was isolated among several others from raw sewage but was distinguished by broad-spectrum activity against Salmonella serovars considered pathogenic to humans and animals. Lytic profiles of ZCSE2 against a panel of Salmonella were determined together with low temperature activity and pH stability. The morphological features of the phage and host infection processes were characterized using a combination of transmission electron and atomic force microscopies. Whole genome sequencing of ZCSE2 produced a complete DNA sequence of 53,965 bp. No known virulence genes were identified in the sequence data, making ZCSE2 a good candidate for phage-mediated biological control purposes. ZCSE2 was further tested against S. Enteritidis in liquid culture and was observed to reduce the target bacterium to below the limits of detection from initial concentrations of 107–108 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/mL. With a broad host-range against pathogenic Salmonella serovars, phage ZCSE2 constitutes a potential tool against a major cause of human and animal disease.
Highlights
The global disease burden caused by Salmonella spp. represents a significant proportion of microbial infections acquired through the consumption of contaminated food and water
388,000 deaths arise from invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) infection in sub-Saharan Africa alone, and globally the reported mortality is greater than 681,000 per annum [3,4]
(Platten) was resistant to 10 different antibiotics, including cefotaxime, clarithromycin, and vancomycin, whereas it is intermediately resistant to the three antibiotics ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and cefoxitin
Summary
The global disease burden caused by Salmonella spp. represents a significant proportion of microbial infections acquired through the consumption of contaminated food and water. Salmonella infection usually presents as a self-limiting gastrointestinal infection, antibiotic treatments may be required. Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) can be attributed to 93 million cases of gastrointestinal disease annually, of which 155,000 infections result in death [1]. Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) is associated with enhanced pathogenicity towards specific demographics in the developing world. Viruses 2020, 12, 424 from iNTS infections, with ≈3.4 million reported cases on an annual basis [2]. 388,000 deaths arise from iNTS infection in sub-Saharan Africa alone, and globally the reported mortality is greater than 681,000 per annum [3,4]. Most instances of NTS/iNTS disease are associated with the globally distributed zoonotic serovars Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis [5,6]
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