Virulent Phage vB_EfaS_WH1 Removes Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm and Inhibits Its Growth on the Surface of Chicken Meat
Xinxin Jin, Xiuxiu Sun, Zui Wang, Junfeng Dou, Zhengdan Lin, Qin Lu, Téngfēi Zhāng, Guoyuan Wen, Huabin Shao, Guofu Cheng, Qingping Luo
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis is a potential animal and human pathogen. Improper use of antibiotics encourages resistance. Bacteriophages and their derivatives are promising for treating drug-resistant bacterial infections. In this study, phylogenetic and electron microscopy analyses of phage vB_EfaS_WH1 (WH1) isolated from chicken feces revealed it to be a novel phage in the family Siphoviridae. WH1 showed good pH stability (4–11), temperature tolerance (4–60 °C), and broad E. faecalis host range (60% of isolates). Genome sequencing revealed a 56,357 bp double-stranded DNA genome with a G+C content of 39.21%. WH1 effectively destroyed E. faecalis EF01 biofilms, even at low concentrations. When WH1 was applied at 1 × 105 to 1 × 109 PFU/g to chicken breast samples stored at 4 °C, surface growing E. faecalis were appreciably eradicated after 24 h. The phage WH1 showed good antibacterial activity, which could be used as a potential biocontrol agent to reduce the formation of E. faecalis biofilm, and could also be used as an alternative for the control of E. faecalis in chicken products.