Six Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phages: Genomic Insights and Therapeutic Potential

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes health care-associated infections. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains necessitates alternative treatment strategies, with bacteriophage therapy being a promising approach. Methods: Six bacteriophages were isolated from sewage samples. Phage isolation involved centrifugation, filtration, and plaque assays. The morphology of each sample was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Genomic DNA was sequenced and compared among the isolates. The phages’ lytic activities were assessed using growth curve analysis. Results: The phages displayed distinct genomic characteristics, grouping into three genomic clusters. No known virulence or antibiotic resistance genes were detected, indicating their safety for therapeutic use. Taxonomic analysis identified the phages as belonging to the genera Pbunavirus, Nipunavirus, Abidjanvirus, and a novel genus. TEM analysis revealed their diverse morphologies. Temperate phages showed less effective lytic activities. Conclusion: Several of the isolated bacteriophages show potential as candidates for phage therapy research and could be effective against P. aeruginosa infections.