DeepPL: A deep-learning-based tool for the prediction of bacteriophage lifecycle.

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and can be classified into two different lifecycles. Virulent phages (or lytic phages) have a lytic cycle that can lyse the bacteria host after their infection. Temperate phages (or lysogenic phages) can integrate their phage genomes into bacterial chromosomes and replicate with bacterial hosts via the lysogenic cycle.

Characterization of two novel Salmonella phages having biocontrol potential against Salmonella spp. in gastrointestinal conditions.

Salmonella is a primary enteric pathogen related to the contamination of poultry and other food products in numerous foodborne outbreaks. The continuous emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has become a serious issue due to the overuse of antibiotics. Hence, lytic phages are considered alternative biocontrol agents against these bacterial superbugs.

A new Rogue-like phage UDF157lw to control O157:H7.

Introduction: Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) O157:H7 is one of the notorious foodborne pathogens causing high mortality through the consumption of contaminated food items. The food safety risk from STEC pathogens could escalate when a group of bacterial cells aggregates to form a biofilm. Bacterial biofilm can diminish the effects of various antimicrobial interventions and enhance the pathogenicity of the pathogens.

Gut Phageome-An Insight into the Role and Impact of Gut Microbiome and Their Correlation with Mammal Health and Diseases.

The gut microbiota, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, compose a diverse mammalian gut environment and are highly associated with host health. Bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria, are the primary members of the gastrointestinal virome, known as the phageome. However, our knowledge regarding the gut phageome remains poorly understood.

Metagenomic investigation reveals bacteriophage-mediated horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in microbial communities of an organic agricultural ecosystem.

Antibiotic resistance has become a serious health concern worldwide. The potential impact of viruses, bacteriophages in particular, on spreading antibiotic resistance genes is still controversial due to the complexity of bacteriophage-bacterial interactions within diverse environments. In this study, we determined the microbiome profiles and the potential antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) transfer between bacterial and viral populations in different agricultural samples using a high-resolution analysis of the metagenomes.

A New -like Phage vB_EcoP-Ro45lw with Antimicrobial Potential of Shiga Toxin-Producing O45 Strain.

Lytic bacteriophages are re-considered as a solution to resolve antibiotic-resistant rampage. Despite frequent foodborne outbreaks caused by the top six non-O157 Shiga-toxin-producing (STEC), the current interventions are not sufficiently effective against each serogroup, particularly O45. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize a new short-tailed phage, vB_EcoP-Ro45lw (or Ro45lw), as an alternative antimicrobial agent for STEC O45 strains.

Characterization of polyvalent phage Sa157lw for the biocontrol potential of Typhimurium and O157:H7 on contaminated mung bean seeds.

Seeds are one of the primary sources of contamination with foodborne pathogens, such as pathogenic , and various serovars, for produce, particularly sprouts. Due to the susceptibility of sprout growth to chemical-based antimicrobials and the rising issue of antimicrobial resistance, developing innovative antimicrobial interventions is an urgent need. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize phage Sa157lw (or Sa157lw) for the biocontrol potential of Typhimurium and O157:H7 on contaminated mung bean seeds.

Whole-Genome Analysis of Escherichia Phage vB_EcoM-S1P5QW, Isolated from Manures Collected from Cattle Farms in Maine.

Here, we report a complete genome sequence of Escherichia phage vB_EcoM-S1P5QW, a T4-like bacteriophage that was isolated from manures collected from cattle farms in Maine. Escherichia phage vB_EcoM-S1P5QW can infect Escherichia coli O26:H11 strains and is devoid of virulence, antibiotic resistance, and lysogeny-associated genes, which may be meaningful for further biocontrol studies.

Characterization of a T4-like Bacteriophage vB_EcoM-Sa45lw as a Potential Biocontrol Agent for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O45 Contaminated on Mung Bean Seeds.

Application of lytic bacteriophages is a promising and alternative intervention technology to relieve antibiotic resistance pressure and control bacterial pathogens in the food industry. Despite the increase of produce-associated outbreaks caused by non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serogroups, the information of phage application on sprouts to mitigate these pathogens is lacking.

Characterization of Two New Shiga Toxin-Producing O103-Infecting Phages Isolated from an Organic Farm.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) O103 strains have been recently attributed to various foodborne outbreaks in the United States. Due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, lytic phages are considered as alternative biocontrol agents. This study was to biologically and genomically characterize two STEC O103-infecting bacteriophages, vB_EcoP-Ro103C3lw (or Ro103C3lw) and vB_EcoM-Pr103Blw (or Pr103Blw), isolated from an organic farm.

Genomic Characterization of Two Shiga Toxin-Converting Bacteriophages Induced From Environmental Shiga Toxin-Producing .

Shiga toxin (Stx), encoded by genes located in prophage sequences, is the major agent responsible for the pathogenicity of Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) and is closely associated with the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Although numerous Stx prophage sequences have been reported as part of STEC bacterial genomes, the information about the genomic characterization of Stx-converting bacteriophages induced from STEC strains is relatively scarce. The objectives of this study were to genomically characterize two Stx-converting phages induced from environmental STEC strains and to evaluate their correlations with published Stx-converting phages and STEC strains of different origins.

Food safety lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a new era of food safety. To date, there is no evidence to suggest that consuming food is associated with COVID-19. Nevertheless, COVID-19's impact on food safety and security has been grave.

Whole-Genome Analysis of a Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O103:H2 Strain Isolated from Cattle Feces.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) serotype O103 is one of the primary pathogenic contaminants of beef products, contributing to several foodborne outbreaks in recent years. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of a STEC O103:H2 strain isolated from cattle feces that contains a locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island.

Effects of lyophilization on the stability of bacteriophages against different serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

Lyophilization is commonly used to effectively preserve the stability of bacteriophages (phages) in long-term storage. However, information regarding the lyophilization of phages specific to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of lyophilization with different cryoprotectants (sucrose and trehalose) and concentrations (0.

Bacteriophages specific to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli exist in goat feces and associated environments on an organic produce farm in Northern California, USA.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STECs) contamination of produce, as a result of contact with ruminant fecal material, has been associated with serious foodborne illness. Bacteriophages (phages) that infect STECs have primarily been reported to be of cattle origin. However, they likely exist in other environments or in animals that share habitats with cattle, such as goats.

Is Shiga Toxin-Producing O45 No Longer a Food Safety Threat? The Danger is Still Out There.

Many Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) strains, including the serogroups of O157 and most of the top six non-O157 serotypes, are frequently associated with foodborne outbreaks. Therefore, they have been extensively studied using next-generation sequencing technology. However, related information regarding STEC O45 strains is scarce.

Investigating the Whole-Genome Sequence of a New Locus of Enterocyte Effacement-Positive Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Isolated from River Water.

Diverse Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) strains have been isolated from several environmental samples. Rivers are associated with the distribution of STEC pathogens in the environment. Thus, we report the complete genome sequence of a locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-positive STEC O157:H7 strain isolated from the Mississippi River.

Prediction, Diversity, and Genomic Analysis of Temperate Phages Induced From Shiga Toxin-Producing Strains.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) is a notorious foodborne pathogen containing genes located in the sequence region of Shiga toxin (Stx) prophages. Stx prophages, as one of the mobile elements, are involved in the transfer of virulence genes to other strains. However, little is known about the diversity of prophages among STEC strains.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Shiga Toxin-Converting Bacteriophage, Phage Lys12581Vzw, Induced from an Outbreak Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Strain.

Although numerous Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing (STEC) strains have been sequenced, genomic information on Stx-converting phages, highly related to the primary virulence factors of STEC, is scarce. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a Stx-converting phage induced from an outbreak STEC O145 strain.

Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Phage vB_EcoM Sa157lw, Isolated from Surface Water Collected in Salinas, California.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a new member of Vi1-like phages, phage vB_EcoM Sa157lw, isolated from surface water collected near a produce-growing area in California. This phage does not harbor or other lysogeny-associated genes and therefore may have biocontrol application potential.

Genome Sequence of a T4-like Phage, Phage vB_EcoM-Sa45lw, Infecting Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Strains.

phage vB_EcoM-Sa45lw, a new member of the T4-like phages, was isolated from surface water in a produce-growing area. The phage, containing double-stranded DNA with a genome size of 167,353 bp and 282 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), is able to infect generic and Shiga toxin-producing O45 and O157 strains.

Characterization of a Lytic Bacteriophage as an Antimicrobial Agent for Biocontrol of Shiga Toxin-Producing O145 Strains.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) O145 is one of the most prevalent non-O157 serogroups associated with foodborne outbreaks. Lytic phages are a potential alternative to antibiotics in combatting bacterial pathogens. In this study, we characterized a phage lytic against STEC O145 strains as a novel antimicrobial agent.

Discovery of Shiga Toxin-Producing (STEC)-Specific Bacteriophages From Non-fecal Composts Using Genomic Characterization.

Composting is a complex biodegradable process that converts organic materials into nutrients to facilitate crop yields, and, if well managed, can render bactericidal effects. Majority of research focused on detection of enteric pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) in fecal composts. Recently, attention has been emphasized on bacteriophages, such as STEC-specific bacteriophages, associated with STEC from the fecal-contaminated environment because they are able to sustain adverse environmental condition during composting process.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Lytic T7-Like Phage, Phage vB_EcoP-Ro45lw, Isolated from Nonfecal Compost Samples.

Although isolation of the bacteriophages (phages) specific to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is increasing, the number of those specific to STEC non-O157 strains, instead of STEC O157, with whole-genome sequencing characterization is relatively low. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of a T7-like lytic phage against STEC O45.