Genomic and biological characterization of bacteriophages against Enterobacter cloacae, a high-priority pathogen.

Enterobacter cloacae is a clinically significant pathogen due to its multi-resistance to antibiotics, presenting a challenge in the treatment of infections. As concerns over antibiotic resistance escalate, novel therapeutic approaches have been explored. Bacteriophages, characterized by their remarkable specificity and ability to self-replicate within target bacteria, are emerging as a promising alternative therapy. In this study, we isolated and partially characterized nine lytic bacteriophages targeting E. cloacae, with two selected for comprehensive genomic analysis based on their host range and bacteriolytic activity. All identified phages exhibited a narrow host range, demonstrated stability within a temperature range of 30-60 °C, displayed pH tolerance from 3 to 10, and showed an excellent bacteriolytic capacity for up to 18 h. Notably, the fully characterized phage genomes revealed an absence of lysogenic, virulence, or antibiotic-resistance genes, positioning them as promising candidates for therapeutic intervention against E. cloacae-related diseases. Nonetheless, translating this knowledge into practical therapeutic applications mandates a deeper understanding of bacteriophage interactions within complex biological environments.

Antimicrobial Peptides from Lactobacillus plantarum UTNGt2 Prevent Harmful Bacteria Growth on Fresh Tomatoes.

In a previous study, the antimicrobial peptides extracted from Lactobacillus plantarum UTNGt2 of wild-type fruits of Theobroma grandiflorum (Amazon) were characterized. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial mechanisms of peptides in vitro and its protective effect on fresh tomatoes. The addition of partially purified Gt2 peptides to the E. coli suspension cells at the exponential (OD605 = 0.7) growth phase resulted in a decrease with 1.67 (log10) order of magnitude compared to the control without peptide. A marginal event (< 1 log10 difference) was recorded against Salmonella, while no effect was observed when combined with EDTA, suggesting that the presence of a chelating agent interfered with the antimicrobial activity. The Gt2 peptides disrupted the membrane of E. coli, causing the release of ß-galactosidase and leakage of DNA/RNA molecules followed by cell death, revealing a bacteriolytic mode of action. The tomatoes fruits coated with Gt2 peptides showed growth inhibition of the artificially inoculated Salmonella cocktail, demonstrating their preservative potential.

Inhibitory Effect of Substances Produced by Native Lactococcus lactis Strains of Tropical Fruits towards Food Pathogens.

The use of peptides produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as antimicrobial agents in food emerged from the increasing need of replacing chemicals with natural substances to ensure their safety and quality. A total of 30 LAB belonging to the genus Lactococcus sp. (10) and Enterococcus sp. (20) were isolated from native fruits of Ecuador subtropical rainforest. Among Lactococcus species, the isolates assigned Gt28, Gt29, and Ella8, identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis with 99% identity, showing highly inhibitory potential against four food pathogens were further characterized. The treatment of cell-free supernatant with proteolytic enzymes indicated the protein nature of released components, which displayed a broad antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated the presence of lacticin 3147 gene in all isolates, lactococcin M gene in Gt28 and Gt29 but not in Ella8 and lactococcin A gene in Gt28 only. The antimicrobial activity was not linked to the presence of structural nisin gene as no amplification product was obtained. Treatment of Salmonella enterica ATCC 51741 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 at both vegetative and exponential phase of growth with the cell-free supernatant of Gt28 resulted in complete inactivation upon 3 h suggesting its bactericidal mode of action. An increment on inhibitory activity occurred when partial purified bacteriocin Gt28 was combined with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid rather than bacteriocin only, indicating that the cells were sensitized in vitro by the chelator agent acting synergistically to induce the killing of pathogenic cells.

Cloning and Characterization of a Novel N-acetylglucosaminidase (AtlD) from Enterococcus faecalis.

The atlD gene from an Enterococcus faecalis strain isolated from a Mexican artisanal cheese was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli in order to perform a biochemical characterization. A partial amino acid sequence of the heterologous protein was obtained by LC-MS/MS, and it corresponded to a novel peptidoglycan hydrolase designated AtlD. Its molecular mass was 62-75 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE, zymography, Western blot, and exclusion chromatography. Electrofocusing rendered an isoelectric point (pI) of 4.8. It exhibited N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, with an optimal pH and temperature between 6-7 and 50°C, respectively. It retained 85% activity with NaCl at 1,000 mM, but it was susceptible to divalent ions, particularly Zn2+. It showed antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococcal strains of clinical origin. Due to the fact that it showed activity versus pathogenic bacteria, and because of its capabilities under ionic strength, temperature, and pH values present in food matrices, it could be applied as an additive in the food industry. This study will aid in the design of new antibacterial agents of natural origin to combat food-borne diseases, and it could be used as an industrial or hospital hygiene agent as well.

Inhibition of shrimp pathogenic vibrios by extracellular compounds from a proteolytic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. W3 / Inhibición de vibrios patógenos del camarón por compuestos extracelulares de una bacterias proteolítica Pseudomonas sp.W3

Pseudomonas sp. W3, a bacterium known to produce an extracellular alkaline protease, secreted secondary metabolites that inhibited pathogenic bacteria responsible for shrimp luminous vibriosis disease. Antivibrio compounds in the culture supernatant or culture filtrates (0.45 um and 0.22 um) of the isolate W3 were tested using an agar well diffusion method on a number of pathogenic vibrios. Vibrio harveyi PSU 2015 a pathogenic isolate was the most sensitive strain. The effectiveness of preparations from the isolate W3 against V. harveyi PSU 2015, and V. cholerae PSSCMI 0062 was in the order of culture supernatant > 0.45 um culture filtrate > 0.22 um culture filtrate. These extracellular antivibrio compounds also lysed both dead and living cells of V. harveyi PSU 2015. Results of the partial characterization tests indicated that there was some particulate antivibrio compound that was destroyed by treatment with enzymes particularly alpha-chymotrypsin, autoclaving at 121ºC for 15 min and was mostly removed by filtration through a 0.22 µm filter. Most of the inhibitory compounds were of small molecular weight able to pass through a 0.22 um filter and were resistant to treatment with various enzymes, pH values between 4-8 and temperatures up to 121ºC for 30 min. The optimum pH for the antivibrio activity in the 0.45 um culture filtrate was between pH 6-7.