Isolation and identification of specific bacteriophage against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and in vitro and in vivo characterization of bacteriophage

Abstract

In recent years, the increasing resistance of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) to commonly used antibiotics has made it difficult to choose the best treatment option. Bacteriophage therapy could be a potent alternative to antibiotic therapy for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify a specific bacteriophage against enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and characterize bacteriophage in vitro and in vivo. The specific bacteriophage was isolated and the effect of phage therapy on 48 mice (Balb/c) was investigated. Animals were divided into six groups, including A: PBS (negative control), B: bacteria (positive control), C: bacteria + ciprofloxacin (after 24 hours), D: bacteria + bacteriophage (after 24 hours), E: bacteria + ciprofloxacin + bacteriophage (after 24 hours), and F: bacteriophage + bacteria (after 24 hours). Specific bacteriophage against EPEC was isolated from hospital sewage. The bacteriophage had an icosahedral head (120 nm) and a tail (138 nm). The single dose of the bacteriophage (2 × 10⁹ pfu ml⁻¹) was able to control the infection. Unfortunately, because of the misuse of antibiotics by EPEC infected patients, the antibiotic resistant bacteria will become prevalent in the future and the treatment of EPEC infection is going to become more difficult than ever.