Identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7,Characterization,and Host Range Analysis of Bacteriophages Infecting Some Selected Pathogenic Bacteria from Jos,Nigeria
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2023
Identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7,Characterization,and Host Range Analysis of Bacteriophages Infecting Some Selected Pathogenic Bacteria from Jos,Nigeria
Escherichia coli O157:H7, causing a severe public health concern, is currently an emerging food-borne pathogen. Bacteriophages (phages), to this effect, can provide alternative measures for their control. This study aimed at identifying and characterizing environmental Escherichia coli O157:H7, the phages infecting them, and some selected pathogenic bacteria.
Materials and Methods:
The bacteria and phages were isolated from six (6) different locations within Jos, Nigeria. The bacterial strains were identified using the Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry system, and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined. The phages were screened against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and some selected pathogenic bacteria and examined for their physiological and morphological characteristics.
Results:
The mean bacterial viable counts indicated that although Angwa Rukuba_1 had the highest count of 7.69 ± 8.89 log10 CFU/mL, Student Village Hostel_1 had the lowest count of 7.52 ± 2.65 log10 CFU/mL. Bacillus spp. had the highest occurrence (30%), followed by Escherichia coli (28%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26%), Klebsiella spp. (8%), Proteus spp. (4%), and Staphylococcus aureus (4%). The results indicated that all the isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, whereas others were either susceptible or resistant to the eight common antibiotics used. The four bacteriophages designated as E. coli phage Anayo (ECPA)_1, ECPA_2, ECPA_3, and ECPA_4 had mean titers ranging from 9.80 ± 38.55 to 11.85 ± 13.45 log10 PFU/mL. The phages displayed broad activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and some selected pathogenic bacteria. The phages were relatively stable over a wide range of temperatures (45–55°C) for varying time intervals, NaCl concentrations (0.5–15%), chloroform (10%), and pH values (2–9) after 24 h of exposure.
Conclusions:
This study indicated that the Escherichia phages have activity on Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains as well as on other bacterial pathogens used. The experimental phages obtained in this study can be exploited in the formulation of phage cocktails for alternative therapy and bio-control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 because of their lytic activity and stability to different storage conditions.
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