Characterization and resistance mechanism of phage-resistant strains of Salmonella enteritidis

Abstract

In the face of the increasingly severe problem of antibiotic resistance, phage therapy is regarded as a highly potential alternative. Compared with traditional antimicrobial agents, a key research area of phage therapy is the study of phage-resistant mutant bacteria. To effectively monitor and prevent this resistance, it is crucial to conduct in-depth exploration of the mechanism behind phage resistance. In this study, a strain of Salmonella enteritidis (sm140) and the corresponding phage (Psm140) were isolated from chicken liver and sewage, respectively. Using the double-layer plate method, successfully screened out phage-resistant mutant strains. Whole-genome resequencing of 3 resistant strains found that the wbaP gene of all 3 strains had mutations at a specific position (1,118), with the base changing from G to A. This mutation causes the gene-encoded glycine to be replaced by aspartic acid. Subsequent studies found that the frequency of this gene mutation is extremely high, reaching 84%, and all mutations occur at the same position. To further explore the relationship between the wbaP gene and phage resistance, knockout strains and complement strains of the wbaP gene were constructed. The experimental results confirmed the association between the wbaP gene and phage resistance. At the same time, biological characteristics and virulence were evaluated for wild strains, resistant strains, knockout strains, and complement strains. It was found that mutations or deletions of the wbaP gene lead to a decrease in bacterial environmental adaptability and virulence. Through systematic research on the mechanism and biological characteristics of phage resistance, this study provides important references and guidance for the development of new phage therapies, promoting progress in the field of antimicrobial treatment. At the same time, the emergence of phage resistance due to wbaP gene mutations is reported for the first time in salmonella, providing a new perspective and ideas for further studying phage resistance mechanisms.