Isolation and characterization of biofilm degrading bacteriophage from Gulshan lake specific for escherichia coli and vibrio cholerae

Abstract

Bacteriophage, also known as bacterial virus, has been considered as the natural enemy of bacteria since their discovery. Bacteriophages are used to eradicate bacteria from bacterial infected regions in many medicinal situations. They are also important to control the abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the environment. Some of these bacteriophages have the potential to degrade the bacterial biofilms and research shows that this type of bacteriophages has potential influence in controlling the seasonal epidemics of diarrhoea. The aim of this study was to isolate bacteriophages able to lyse pathogenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio Cholerae and to look for biofilms degrading capacity. Bacteriophages that degrade biofilms can increase planktonic bacterial concentration in the environment. To isolate bacteriophages lytic against Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae strain used in this study, around 7 environmental water samples were collected from Gulshan Lake in March, April, May & June. 19 bacteriophages were isolated, among them 4 specific for Vibrio Cholerae and 15 specific for Escherichia coli. From isolated 19 phages four were capable of degrading biofilm. Interestingly two of the bacteriophages show the ability of increasing biofilms. The characterization of those 5 bacteriophages was done. Studies on its biological characteristics may provide important information and knowledge in developing potential therapeutic agents against Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae infection.