Characterization and genome annotation of a newly detected bacteriophage infecting multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Zichen Yang,Yunlong Shi,Zhiqiang Yuan,Yu Chen,Xinzhu Liu,Yizhi Peng,Xiaoqiang Luo,Yali Gong,Jing Chen,Bo You,Wei Shen,Cheng Zhang,Yajie Chen,Supeng Yin

doi:10.1007/s00705-019-04213-0

Zichen Yang, Yunlong Shi + Show 12 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-019-04213-0

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Abstract

A novel virulent bacteriophage, φAbp2, infecting multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated from the wastewater of a sewage management centre at Southwest Hospital, China. Transmission electron microscopy and phylogenetic analysis revealed that φAbp2 belongs to the subfamily Peduovirinae. A one-step growth curve demonstrated that φAbp2 had a latent period of 15 min, a lysis period of 35 min, and a burst size of 222 particles per infected host cell. Moreover, φAbp2 showed a relatively broad host range in local A. baumannii, and it also exhibited tolerance over a wider range of thermal and pH conditions. Genomic sequencing revealed that φAbp2 has a circular double-stranded DNA genome with no sequence similarity to our previously isolated φAbp1. Eighty-eight putative open reading frames (ORFs) encoding 41 proteins of known function and 47 of unknown function were identified, and the G/C content was 37.84%. φAbp2 is a new member of the subfamily Peduovirinae of the family Myoviridae. Its genome sequence is very similar to that of the A. baumannii phage LZ35.

Highlights

Acinetobacter baumannii is a growing threat that is responsible for numerous healthcare-associated infections, such as burn and wound infections [1]
ΦAbp2 targeting an MDR A. baumannii strain was screened from the sewage management centre at Southwest Hospital
We present the characterization and genomic annotation of φAbp2, a lytic phage from a clinical MDR A. baumannii isolate with strong lytic ability and a wider host range than those of our previously screened bacteriophages [14]

Summary

Introduction

Acinetobacter baumannii is a growing threat that is responsible for numerous healthcare-associated infections, such as burn and wound infections [1]. It is among the leading causes of infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, secondary meningitis, and sepsis [2]. Some strains of this widespread Gram-negative pathogen have been reported recently to be resistant to most known antibiotics, and there is an urgent need to find alternative treatments for these infections [3, 4].

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