Therapeutic Efficacy of Phage P IZ SAE-01E2 against Abortion Caused by Salmonella enterica Serovar Abortusequi in Mice

Abstract

S . Abortusequi is an important pathogen that can induce abortions in mares. Although S . Abortusequi has been well controlled in Europe and the United States due to strict breeding and health policies, it is still widespread in African and Asian countries and has proven difficult to control. In China, abortions caused by S . Abortusequi have also been reported in donkeys. So far, there is no commercial vaccine. Thus, exploiting alternative efficient and safe strategies to control S . Abortusequi infection is essential. In this study, a new lytic phage, P IZ SAE-01E2, infecting S . Abortusequi was isolated, and the characteristics of P IZ SAE-01E2 indicated that it has the potential for use in phage therapy. A single intraperitoneal inoculation of P IZ SAE-01E2 before or after S . Abortusequi challenge provided effective protection to all pregnant mice. Thus, P IZ SAE-01E2 showed the potential to block abortions induced by S . Abortusequi in vivo .