BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TWO NEWLY ISOLATED BACTERIOPHAGES SPECIFIC TO MORAXELLA BOVIS

Moraxella is a bacteria that causes a number of diseases in both humans and animals. One of the most social ly significant diseases that can be caused by this microorganism is keratitis. Numerous reports indicate that the rise of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is leading to an increase in cases of treatment ineffectiveness. Thus, our research highlights the potential of phage therapy in the fight against bacterial antibiotic resistance. M. bovis was isolated from the eyes of sick cows from various Russian farms. By isolating the phages vB_MboM_R2 and vB_MboM_W17 from wastewater, we were able to determine the morphology and biological characteristics of the tested phages. Our research led to the identification of two specific phages for M. bovis. These phages were classified into the Myoviridae family based on transmission electron microscopy. Phages also showed minimal reduction in activity at temperatures up to 40 °C and in alkaline environments. (pH 8). This work examines yet another tool in the inventory against such a serious disease as keratitis, which may increase interest in phage ther apy as a complement and alternative to available antibiotics.