Isolation and selection of coliphages as potential biocontrol agents of enterohemorrhagic and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (EHEC and STEC) in cattle

To isolate, characterize and select phages as potential biocontrol agents of enterohemorrhagic and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (EHEC and STEC) in cattle. Sixteen STEC and EHEC coliphages were isolated from bovine minced meat and stool samples and characterized with respect to their host range against STEC, EHEC and other Gram-negative pathogens; their morphology by electron microscopy; the presence of the stx1, stx2 and cI genes by means of PCR; RAPD and rep-PCR profiles; plaque formation; and acid resistance. Six isolates belonged to the Myoviridae and 10 to the Podoviridae families. The phages negative for stx and cI that formed large, well-defined plaques were all isolated using EHEC O157:H7 as host. Among them, only CA911 was a myophage and, together with CA933P, had the broadest host range for STEC and EHEC; the latter phage also infected Shigella and Pseudomonas. Isolates CA911, MFA933P and MFA45D differed in particle morphology and amplification patterns by RAPD and rep-PCR and showed the highest acidity tolerance. Myophage CA911 and podophages CA933P, MFA933P and MFA45D were chosen as the best candidates for biocontrol of STEC and EHEC in cattle. This work employs steps for a rational selection and characteri...Continue Reading