Therapeutic Efficacy of Phage PIZ SAE-01E2 Against Abortion Caused by Salmonella abortus equi in Mice.

In this study, the preventive and therapeutic effects of phage PIZ SAE-01E2 against S. abortus equi in a mouse model of abortion was investigated. Phage PIZ SAE-01E2 was stable at different temperatures (4 ∼ 70 °C) and pH values (4 ∼ 10) and could lyse the majority of the tested Salmonella strains (25/28) of serotype O:4 and O:9. There is no lysogenic, toxin or antibiotic-resistant related gene in the genome of PIZ SAE-01E2. All of these characteristics indicated PIZ SAE-01E2 has potential for phage therapy. In in vivo experiments, 2 × 103 CFU/mouse of S. abortus equi ATCC 9842 was sufficient to lead to murine abortion (gestational day 14.5) within 48 h. A single dose of intraperitoneal inoculation of PIZ SAE-01E2 (108 PFU/mouse, MOI = 105) 1 h before or after S. abortus equi challenge provided effective protection to all pregnant mice (10/10). The bacterial loads in the placenta and uterus of the infected mice were both significantly decreased (< 102 CFU/g) after 24 h treatment with phage PIZ SAE-01E2 compared to that of control group (> 106 CFU/g). In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the placenta and blood of the mice in the phage administration groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) compared to that of the control group. Altogether, this indicated that PIZ SAE-01E2 showed potential to block abortions induced by S. abortus equi in vivo Importance S. abortus equi is an important pathogen that can induce abortions in mares. Although S. ab...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Appl Environ Microbiol Source Type: research