Characterization of novel bacteriophages for effective phage therapy against Vibrio infections in aquaculture.

Abstract

The widespread use of antibiotics in aquaculture has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and environmental concerns, highlighting the need for sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives. In this study, we isolated and characterized three novel bacteriophages from aquaculture effluents in Korean shrimp farms that target the key Vibrio pathogens, Vibrio harveyi, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Bacteriophages were isolated through environmental enrichment and serial purification using double-layer agar assays. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the phages infecting V. harveyi, designated as vB_VhaS-MS01 and vB_VhaS-MS03, exhibited typical Siphoviridae morphology with long contractile tails and icosahedral heads, whereas the phage isolated from V. parahaemolyticus (vB_VpaP-MS02) displayed Podoviridae characteristics with an icosahedral head and short tail. Whole-genome sequencing produced complete, circularized genomes of 81,710 bp for vB_VhaS-MS01, 81,874 bp for vB_VhaS-MS03, and 76,865 bp for vB_VpaP-MS02, each showing a modular genome organization typical of Caudoviricetes. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses based on the terminase large subunit gene revealed that although vB_VhaS-MS01 and vB_VhaS-MS03 were closely related, vB_VpaP-MS02 exhibited a distinct genomic architecture that reflects its unique morphology and host specificity. Collectively, these comparative analyses demonstrated that all three phages possess genetic sequences markedly different from those of previously reported bacteriophages, thereby establishing their novelty. One-step growth and multiplicity of infection (MOI) experiments demonstrated significant differences in replication kinetics, such as burst size and lytic efficiency, among the phages, with vB_VhaS-MS03 maintaining the most effective bacterial control, even at an MOI of 0.01. Additionally, host range assays showed that vB_VhaS-MS03 possessed a broader spectrum of activity, supporting its potential use as a stand-alone agent or key component of phage cocktails. These findings highlight the potential of region-specific phage therapy as a targeted and sustainable alternative to antibiotics for controlling Vibrio infections in aquaculture.