Potential use of Vibriophage in association with antibiotic to treat the vibrio Cholerae biofilm

Abstract

In cholera prevalent areas, Vibrio cholerae in the aqueous environment can exist in a cell aggregated form covered by an extra polysaccharide matrix called Biofilm. These type of cells are named as VBNC (viable but non culturable cell) and CVEC (conditionally viable environmental cell). The cells in the biofilm can persist in a wide range of environmental conditions by remaining metabolically dormant and can resuscitate into planktonic cells leading to a cholera outbreak. So it is imperative to treat these biofilms. It has been found that antibiotic treatment is not effective in degrading the biofilm and also can lead to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. So as a safe alternative, this study has shown the use of a bacteriophage to degrade the pathogenic V. cholerae biofilm. This study also shows the synergistic effect of antibiotics and bacteriophages on the elimination of toxigenic Vibrio biofilms.