College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

Spring 6-8-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Joanna Brooke, PhD

Second Advisor

Sarah Connolly, PhD

Third Advisor

Timothy Sparkes, PhD

Abstract

The bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging infectious pathogen of global concern. Due to its drug-resistant nature, there are limited treatment options available. A potential option for combating S. maltophilia infections is phage therapy, the medicinal use of viruses to treat bacterial infections. Stenotrophomonas phage Bfi1 was isolated from a soil sample using S. maltophilia clinical strain S18202. Transmission electron microscopy provided evidence that this phage is a member of the Siphoviridae family. Host range analysis showed that the phage successfully infected and lysed 30% of the S. maltophilia strains tested. Genomic analysis revealed that the phage contains approximately 32.2-56.5 kbp dsDNA. This phage was assessed for its ability to affect biofilm formation. At an MOI≥103, the phage inhibited S18202 biofilm formation after 24 h incubation with the phage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the effects of a bacteriophage on S. maltophilia biofilms have been studied.

SLP Collection

no

Included in

Biology Commons

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