Phage therapy: assessment of the efficacy of a bacteriophage isolated in the treatment of salmonellosis induced by Salmonella enteritidis in mice

Abstract

Aim: This work aims to isolate and perform comparative studies of a phages active against a Salmonella enteritidis strain from Iran. Also, suitable phage candidates for therapy of mice will be selected. Background: Bacteriophage is of particular interest as a biocontrol agent in the prevention of food-borne illnesses. In recent years tend to use bacteriophages to control pathogenic bacteria has increased. A bacteriophage is considered to be a potent antibiotic alternative for treating bacterial infections. Methods: the specific phages against Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated and candidates for therapy of mice will be selected. Mouses divided into the six specific groups. Groups of mice were as follows: A: Bacteri (control) B: Bacteri+ bacteriophage (Simultaneous), C: Bacteri + bacteriophage Four days later, D: Bacteriophage + bacteri four days later E: Bacteri+ Ciprofloxacin (Simultaneous) F: Bacteri+ ciprofloxacin+ bacteriophage (Simultaneous). Results: In this study, a lytic bacteriophage is isolated and it shows that phage has a head size of 46 nm and without a tail, by using an electron microscope. Oral administration of a single dose of 2 × 109 PFU/mouse bacteriophage enable to protect mouse against salmonellosis and it causes treatment of salmonellosis in mice. Conclusion: The use of this phage compared to ciprofloxacin shows that in addition of the treatment of mouse, it also prevents weight loss.