Article Sidebar
Published:
Nov 2, 2024Keywords:
Article Details
Submission of a manuscript implies; that the work described has not been published before (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, or thesis) that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher.
Copyrights for the papers published in UJAS are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the responsibility of the author to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.
The journal has an online Open Access policy licensed according to Creative Commons Share-Alike Non-Commercial.
Main Article Content
Isolation and Characterization of Aeromonas hydrophila lytic Bacteriophages as a safe antibiotic alternative bio-control agent
Raphael Hans Lwesya
Samuel P. Wamala
Claire M. Mugasa
John Walakira
Jesca L. Nakavuma
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a safe bio-control approach for therapy and decontamination of Aeromonas hydrophila. The study focused on determination of the drug susceptibility of
Aeromonas isolates from diseased tilapia; and establishment of a stock of partially characterized Aeromonas hydrophila bacteriophages. Eighteen (18) Aeromonas spp isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 10 antibiotics. The susceptibility of the isolates to various antibiotics ranged from 0 to 100%. For bacteriophages, three lytic phages that had the highest host range (78.6% to 92.8%, n=28) were selected. Further characterization revealed a burst period of 20 ± 5 to 40 ± 5 minutes, a latent period that varied from 10 ± 5 to 40 ± 5 minutes; and burst size of 98–171 virions per infected cell. There were no significant changes in phage titers on exposure at 40℃ and 50℃ for 60 minutes (P = 0.05). However, a gradual decrease in the titres was observed at 60℃ while a fast decline was noted at 70℃-90℃. All phages demonstrated at least some activity in the pH range of 1-13. In water stability testing, the phages survived up to 22 days of the experiment, with a sharp decrease of 1 log PFU/mL to have been encountered within the first day. The findings of this study suggest phages as bio-control agents against Aeromonas infection in fish. However, further genomic characterization is required.
