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Title: PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE THAT INFECT CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI ISOLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THEIR APPLICATION TO CONTROL THIS ORGANISM IN THE CHICKEN GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

Author
item ZHILENKOV, E - STATE RES CTR
item POPOVAL, V - STATE RES CTR
item ZHILENKOV, M - STATE RES CTR
item SVETOCH, E - STATE RES CTR
item Stern, Norman
item Seal, Bruce

Submitted to: American Society for Microbiology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2004
Publication Date: 6/5/2005
Citation: Zhilenkov, E.L., Popoval, V.M., Zhilenkov, M.E., Svetoch, E.A., Stern, N.J., Seal, B.S. 2005. Preliminary characterization of bacteriophage that infect campylobacter jejuni isolated from the russian federation and their application to control this organism in the chicken gastrointestinal system [abstract]. American Society for Microbiology. Z038, P. 258.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Background: The long-term goal was to analyze chicken fecal samples and intestinal contents on farms surrounding Moscow, Russian Federation to isolate bacteriophage that infect and were lytic for Campylobacter jejuni. Our hypothesis was that bacteriophage lytic for Campylobacter jejuni may be potentially utilized to reduce this organism in chickens prior to processing. Methods: Sampling was conducted among drainage systems of poultry slaughter facilities and from poultry carcasses utilizing standard procedures. Results: Phage isolated exhibited differential lytic activities to various C. jejuni strains examined for viral infection. Phages PC1 and PC2 had contractile tails considered morphotype A1 of the family Myoviridae while PC3 had long non-contractile tails of morphotype B1 in the family Siphoviridae. These phages were unstable for extended periods at 20C. Virion PC5 had an icosahedral head that was classified as morphotype B1, while PC7 had an icosahedral head with a short tail of morphotype C1. Both PC5 and PC7 were stable at 20C for over two months. PC6 also isolated from chickens belonged to morphotype C1 and had an icosahedral head with a short tail. A series of fifteen lytic phage were isolated from poultry farm drainage water, one of which, PC9 was classified morphologically as type C1. Blood samples from meat processing facilities resulted in a collection of phage including PC 13 and PC 14 with icosahedral heads and long non-contractile tails of morphotype B1. A large morphotype A1 virus, PC15, with an icosahedral head, a collar and a contractile tail was obtained from chicken carcasses. A second virus isolated from carcasses, PC16, had an icosahedral head with a non-contractile long tail. Isolations of C. jejuni phage from sources not related to poultry were negative. Because of their ability to lyse C. jejuni and stability, both PC 5and 7 were utilized in an attempt reduce chicken intestinal campylobacter populations. Only one experiment was successful with overall ability to reduce bacterial populations in chicken intestines not yet considered practical.