Philadelphia and Delaware Efficacy of the Use of Bacteriophages to Combat Pectobacterium atrosepticum

Overview

In this experiment, bacteriophages vB_PatP_CB3, vB_PatP_CB4, and vB_PatP_CB5 were tested as potential methods of controlling the spread of Pectobacterium atrosepticum. First, the phages were selected based on the location of isolation. With the aid of computer processing, the phages were further narrowed down based on the specificity of the receptor -binding proteins for the protein receptors on the bacterium cell wall. In vitro testing was subsequently used to obtain further data regarding the efficacy of each phage, individually and in a cocktail. At the end of in vitro testing, it was concluded that the bacteriophage vB_PatP_CB5 produced a large quantity of plaques. This indicated successful cell lysis and bacteriophage propagation within the bacterial col ony. Phages vB_PatP_CB3 and vB_PatP _CB4 produced no measurable plaques. It was therefore concluded that phage vB_PatP_CB5 is most effective at lysing and controlling growth of P. atrosepticum. With this conclusion, a phage -based commercial treatment can b e produced to treat black-leg disease and limit the extent of crop damage.