The Effect of Environmental Factors on Phage Stability and Infectivity on Their Host Bacteria: a Case Study for an Escherichia coli Phage (T7), a Listeria Phage (A511), and a Salmonella Phage (Felix O1)

  • Kim, Kwang-Pyo (Food Microbiology Laboratory, Institute of Food Science and Nutrition ETH Zurich)
  • Published : 2007.06.30

Abstract

The effectiveness of phage biocontrol depends on the activity of bacteriophage in a given environment. In order to investigate the infectivity and the stability of bacteriophages in representative environments, three virulent phages, Listeria phage A511, Salmonella phage Felix O1, and Escherichia coli phage T7, were subjected to different temperatures, pHs and salt concentrations (NaCl). Phage infectivity was also determined in the presence of divalent cations ($Mg^{2+}$ or $Ca^{2+}$). As a result, three phages exhibited a wide range of survival rates under various environments. Phage infectivity was directly correlated with bacterial growth under the applied conditions. One exception was Felix O1 that did not kill Salmonella grown in low pH (4.5). The failure was attributed to defective adsorption of Felix O1. This finding is significant as it provides an explanation for the inefficient phage biocontrol. Therefore, such information is crucial to improve phage biocontrol of pathogens.

Keywords

References

  1. Leverentz B, Conway WS, Alavidze Z, Janisiewicz WJ, Fuchs Y, Camp MJ, Chighladze E, Sulakvelidze A. Examination of bacteriophage as a biocontrol method for Salmonella on fresh-cut fruit: A model study. J. Food Protect. 64: 1116-1121 (2001) https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-64.8.1116
  2. Goodridge L, Abedon ST. Bacteriophage biocontrol and bioprocessing: Application of phage therapy to industry. SIM News 53: 254-262 (2003)
  3. Goode D, Allen V, Barrow PA. Reduction of experimental Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination of chicken skin by application of lytic bacteriophages. Appl. Environ. Microb. 69: 5032-5036 (2003) https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.69.8.5032-5036.2003
  4. Modi R, Hirvi Y, Hill A, Griffiths WM. Effect of phage on survival of Salmonella Enteritidis during manufacture and storage of Cheddar cheese made from raw and pasteurized milk. J. Food Protect. 64: 927-933 (2001) https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-64.7.927
  5. Greer GG, Dilts BD. Control of Brochothrix thermosphacta spoilage of pork adipose tissue using bacteriophages. J. Food Protect. 65: 861-863 (2002) https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-65.5.861
  6. Bruttin A, Brussow H. Human volunteers receiving Escherichia coli phage T4 orally: a safety test of phage therapy. Antimicrob. Agents Ch. 49: 2874-2878 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.49.7.2874-2878.2005
  7. Food and Drug Administration. Food additives permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption; Bacteriophage preparation. Federal Register 71: 47729-47732 (2006)
  8. Song HS, Moon KY. In vitro activity profiles of $\beta$-glucans isolated from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae IS2. Food Sci. Biotechnol. 15: 437-440 (2006)
  9. Le-Dinh H, Kyung KH. Inhibition of yeast film formation in fermented vegetables by materials derived from garlic using cucumber pickle fermentation as a model system. Food Sci. Biotechnol. 15: 469-473 (2006)
  10. Lim SM, Lee GJ, Park SM, Ahn DH, Im DS. Characterization of Lactobacillus cellobiosus D37 isolated from soybean paste as a probiotic with anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties. Food Sci. Biotechnol. 15: 792-798 (2006)
  11. Sulakvelidze A, Alavidze Z, Morris Jr JG. Bacteriophage therapy. Antimicrob. Agents Ch. 45: 649-659 (2001) https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.45.3.649-659.2001
  12. Greer GG, Dilts BD. Inability of a bacteriophage pool to control beef spoilage. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 10: 331-342 (1990) https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1605(90)90080-O
  13. Dykes GA, Moorhead SM. Combined antimicrobial effect of nisin and a listeriophage against Listeria monocytogenes in broth but not in buffer or on raw beef. Int. J. Food Microb. 73: 71-81 (2002) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(01)00710-3
  14. Loessner MJ, Busse M. Bacteriophage typing of Listeria species. Appl. Environ. Microb. 56: 1912-1918 (1990)
  15. Felix A, Callow BR. Typing of paratyphoid B bacilli by means of Vi bacteriophage. Brit. Med. J. 2: 127-130 (1943) https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.4308.127
  16. Zink R, Loessner MJ. Classification of virulent and temperate bacteriophages of Listeria spp. on the basis of morphology and protein analysis. Appl. Environ. Microb. 58: 296-302 (1992)
  17. Sambrook J, Russell DW. Molecular cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 3rd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA (2001)
  18. Adams MH. Methods of study of bacterial viruses. pp. 443-457. In: Bacteriophages. Hershey AD (ed). Interscience Publishers Inc., New York, NY, USA (1959)
  19. Capra ML, Quiberoni A, Reinheimer JA. Thermal and chemical resistance of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus paracasei bacteriophages. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 38: 499-504 (2004) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2004.01525.x
  20. Capra ML, Quiberoni A, Reinheimer J. Phages of Lactobacillus casei/paracasei: response to environmental factors and interaction with collection and commercial strains. J. Appl. Microbiol. 100: 334-342 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2005.02767.x
  21. Chopin MC. Resistance of 17 mesophilic lactic Streptococcus bacteriophages to pasteurization and spray-drying. J. Dairy Res. 47: 131-139 (1980) https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029900020963
  22. Fabrizio SV, Ledford RA, Parada JL. Heat resistance of Lactococcus lactis bacteriophages. Microbiologie-Aliments-Nutrition 17: 191-198 (1999)
  23. Lindberg AA. Studies of a receptor for Felix O-1 phage in Salmonella Minnesota. J. Gen. Microbiol. 48: 225-233 (1967) https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-48-2-225