Characterization and genomic analysis of bacteriophage VT223 infecting <i>Salmonella enterica subsp enterica serovar Enteritidis</i>

Bacteriophages are increasingly considered a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. For the bacteriophage VT223, which was isolated from shrimp pond wastewater, a thorough analysis of its host range, morphology, and genome sequencing was performed. Bacteriophage VT223 exhibits high specificity towards Salmonella spp. strains, highlighting its potential as a targeted therapy for Salmonella spp. infections. Electron microscopy revealed that VT223 belongs to the Caudoviricetes, Jerseyvirus, with an icosahedral head and a non-contractile tail. This phage can infect three species within the Salmonella spp., with a short latent period of 30 minutes and a burst size of 446 PFU/infected cells. Genome sequencing revealed a 43,062 bp double-stranded DNA genome with a GC content of 49.6%. Stability tests showed that VT223 is stable over various temperatures and pH levels. Biofilm formation inhibition testing revealed that phage VT223 reduced biofilm by up to 57.7% after a four-hour treatment. In vitro studies demonstrated the lytic activity of VT223 against Salmonella enterica subsp enterica serovar Enteritidis ATCC 49223. These findings provide valuable insights into the biological properties of bacteriophage VT223 and its potential use as a biocontrol agent in livestock production and aquaculture to combat bacterial growth. Published on November 15, 2024