The PlyB Endolysin of Bacteriophage vB_BanS_Bcp1 Exhibits Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Activity against Bacillus cereus sensu lato Isolates.

In this study, we isolated the Myoviridae phage vB_BanS_Bcp1 (herein referred to as Bcp1) from landfill soil using a Bacillus anthracis host. The antimicrobial activities of both Bcp1 and its encoded endolysin, PlyB, were examined across different B. cereus sensu lato (s.l.) group species, including B. cereus sensu stricto (s.s), B. thuringiensis and B. anthracis, with pathogenic potential in humans and multiple different uses in biotechnological applications. The Bcp1 phage infected only a subset (11-66%) of each B. cereus s.l. species group tested. In contrast, functional analysis of purified PlyB revealed a potent bacteriolytic activity against all B. cereus s.l. isolates tested (n=79). PlyB was, furthermore, active across a broad temperature, pH, and salt range, refractory to the development of resistance, bactericidal as a single agent and synergistic with a second endolysin, PlyG. To confirm the potential for PlyB as an antimicrobial agent, we demonstrated the efficacy of a single intravenous treatment with PlyB alone, and in combination with PlyG, in a murine model of lethal B. anthracis infection. Overall, our findings show the exciting potential for the Bcp1 bacteriophage and the PlyB endolysin as potential new additions to the antimicrobial armamentarium.IMPORTANCE Organisms of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato lineage are ubiquitous in the environment and are responsible for toxin-mediated infections ranging from severe food poisoning (B. cereus sensu stricto) to anth...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Appl Environ Microbiol Source Type: research