Isolation of Bacteriophage from Sewage

Shenbaga Priya et al.,

Bacteriophage | Therapy

Vol: 11; Iss. 6; Jun 25 | ISSN: 2454-5422

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global health crisis, necessitating alternative therapeutic approaches. Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically infect and lyse bacteria, offer a promising solution for combating drug-resistant pathogens. This study aimed to isolate and characterize bacteriophages from sewage samples capable of targeting drug-resistant bacterial strains. Sewage, a rich reservoir of bacteriophages, was collected from different location. The enrichment method was employed to enhance phage isolation, followed by plaque assays to detect lytic activity. Phages were propagated using bacterial hosts. The results demonstrated the successful isolation of lytic bacteriophages with potent activity against drug-resistant pathogens. Clear, distinct plaques indicated effective bacterial lysis, with some phages displaying a broad host range. The isolated phages remained stable under varying environmental conditions, suggesting their potential for therapeutic applications. This study highlights sewage as a valuable source of bacteriophages for combating antimicrobial resistance. The isolated phages hold promise for developing phage therapy as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. Further genomic and in vivo studies are required to ensure safety, specificity, and efficacy before clinical application. Bacteriophage therapy could serve as a crucial tool in the fight against multidrug-resistant infections, reducing dependency on traditional antibiotics and mitigating the AMR crisis.

Kannan M, PG & Research Department of Zoology, V.H.N.Senthikumara Nadar College (Autonomous), Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu