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. 2020 Feb 19;12(1):11-15.
doi: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_110_19. eCollection 2020 Jan-Mar.

Isolation of a Novel Phage and Targeting Biofilms of Drug-Resistant Oral Enterococci

Sonia Bhonchal Bhardwaj  1 , Manjula Mehta  1 , Shaveta Sood  2 , Jyoti Sharma  1
Affiliations

Isolation of a Novel Phage and Targeting Biofilms of Drug-Resistant Oral Enterococci

Sonia Bhonchal Bhardwaj et al. J Glob Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Introduction: Enterococci are now recognized as the second most cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains in the organism has given rise to alternative strategies such as phage therapy. In this study, an Enterococcus faecalis infecting phage was isolated and its efficiency against biofilms formed by drug-resistant enterococci obtained from chronic periodontitis was evaluated.

Materials and methods: Bacteriophage against E. faecalis was isolated from sewage sample. The phage was propagated and identified using transmission electron microscope (TEM). In vitro biofilm formation was assessed.

Results: TEM microscopy showed that the phage belonged to Siphoviridae family. In the presence of the novel phage, the metabolic activity of enterococci biofilm was reduced at 48 h of contact. A difference of at least 5 log CFU/ml was seen in the live cells of the control biofilm, and the phage treated biofilm of enterococci isolates.

Conclusion: The study shows that the novel phage inhibits biofilm production in oral enterococci isolates from periodontitis patients but has a narrow host range. The role of bacteriophages as strong biotechnological and natural therapeutic agents for E. faecalis in chronic periodontitis can be considered.

Keywords: Bacteriophage; biofilm; enterococci; periodontitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Plaque of phage on double-layered agar
Figure 2
Figure 2
Transmission electron microscopy of the phage
Figure 3
Figure 3
One step growth curve (a) Biofilms of enterococci isolates treated. with phage. (b) Biofilms of enterococci isolates not treated with phage
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