Isolation and Physiomorphological Characterization ofEscherichia coliO157:H7-Infecting Bacteriophages Recovered from Beef Cattle Operations

Abstract

Bacteriophages, recovered from beef cattle environment and specifically targetingEscherichia coliO157:H7, were examined for their physiological and morphological characteristics. Degree of bacterial lysis and host range of isolated bacteriophages was determined against 55 isolates ofE. coliO157:H7. Morphology of phages was examined under transmission electron microscope. Phage growth parameters, particularly rate of adsorption, rise period, latent period, and burst size were also determined. The stability of isolated phages was tested at acidic and alkaline pH, at high temperatures, and in cold storage. A total of 7 phages were isolated which showed lytic activity against 50 out of 55 isolates ofE. coliO157:H7. Based on the morphology, phages were classified into Myoviridae or Siphoviridae family. Phages had a rise period between 19 and 40 min, a short latent period between 12 and 30 min, and a large burst size (89–631 virions per infected cell), indicating high lytic activity. Phages remained stable for 24 h at a wide pH (1–11) and temperature range (40–60°C) and for 90 d in cold storage. Characterization of bacteriophages, with a diverse host range ofE. coliO157:H7, could aid in the development of effective biocontrol strategies for this pathogen in the food industry.