Abstract
Based on genotyping and host range, two newly isolated lytic bacteriophages, myovirus vB_AbaM_Acibel004 and podovirus vB_AbaP_Acibel007, active against Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains, were selected from a new phage library for further characterization. The complete genomes of the two phages were analyzed. Both phages are characterized by broad host range and essential features of potential therapeutic phages, such as short latent period (27 and 21 min, respectively), high burst size (125 and 145, respectively), stability of activity in liquid culture and low frequency of occurrence of phage-resistant mutant bacterial cells. Genomic analysis showed that while Acibel004 represents a novel bacteriophage with resemblance to some unclassified Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages, Acibel007 belongs to the well-characterized genus of the Phikmvlikevirus. The newly isolated phages can serve as potential candidates for phage cocktails to control A. baumannii infections.
Highlights
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is a relatively newly emerged pathogen, notorious for its role in nosocomial wound infections [1,2,3]
A. baumannii has been listed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) as one of the six top-priority dangerous microorganisms [55]
The increased occurrence of A. baumannii MDR strains in the Burn Wound Center of Queen Astrid Military Hospital (Brussels, Belgium) and in health care settings worldwide in general [9,16] prompted us to search for alternative solutions to the problem, such as bacteriophages
Summary
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is a relatively newly emerged pathogen, notorious for its role in nosocomial wound infections [1,2,3]. The ability to form biofilms and extended survival on environmental surfaces along with broad resistance to antibiotics puts A. baumannii on the list of the medically most important pathogens [4]. The known risk factors for A. baumannii colonization or infection include prolonged hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, recent surgical procedures, parenteral nutrition, invasive procedures, nursing home residence, and previous broad-spectrum antibiotic use [5,6,7,8,9]. Many A. baumannii strains are characterized by an impressive number of acquired mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, including enzymatic inactivation, modification of target sites, active efflux and decreased influx of drugs [11]. A. baumannii has a naturally occurring ‘‘blaOXA-51-like’’ carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D b-lactamase (CHDL) gene, intrinsic to this species, phenotypic resistance is not associated only with the presence of this gene and normally depends on other genetic determinants as well [12]
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