ARS | Publication request: Isolation and Preliminary Characterization of Bacteriophage That Infect Campylobacter Jejuni

Submitted to: Asm Conference
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2004
Publication Date: August 1, 2004
Citation: Zhilenkov, E.L., Popova, V.M., Zhilenkov, M.E., Svetoch, E.A., Stern, N.J., Seal, B.S. 2004. Isolation And Preliminary Characterization Of Bacteriophage That Infect Campylobacter Jejuni [abstract]. Asm Conference On The New Phage Biology, August 1-5, 2004, Key Biscayne, Florida. P. 17.

Technical Abstract: The long-term goal was to analyze chicken fecal samples and intestinal contents on farms surrounding Moscow, Russian Federation to isolate bacteriophage that infect Campylobacter jejuni. Sampling was also conducted among drainage systems of poultry slaughter facilities. Phage that were isolated exhibited differential lytic activities to various C. jejuni strains examined for viral infection. Phages PC1 and PC2 had contractile tails considered morphotype A1 of the family Myoviridae while PC3 had long non-contractile tails of morphotype B1 in the family Siphoviridae. These three phage were unstable for extended periods at 20C. Virion PC5 had an icosahedral head that was classified as morphotype B1, while PC7 had an icosahedral head with a short tail of morphotype C1. Both PC5 and PC7 were stable at 20C for over two months. PC6 also isolated from chickens belonged to morphotype C1 and had an icosahedral head with a short tail. A series of fifteen lytic phage were isolated from poultry farm drainage water, one of which, PC9 was classified morphologically as type C1. Blood samples from meat processing facilities resulted in a collection of phage including PC 13 and PC 14 with icosahedral heads and long non-contractile tails of morphotype B1. The final approach was to attempt phage isolations from chicken carcasses. A large morphotype A1 virus, PC15, with an icosahedral head, a collar and a contractile tail was obtained from this source. A second virus isolated from carcasses, PC16, had an icosahedral head with a non-contractile long tail. Overall, isolations of C. jejuni phage from sources not related to poultry were rare. Because of their ability to lyse C. jejuni and their stability, both PC 5 and 7 were utilized in an attempt to reduce chicken intestinal campylobacter populations. Only one experiment was successful with overall ability to reduce bacterial populations in chicken intestines not yet considered practical.