Characterization of phage Henuyfy19N against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its efficacy in animal models.
5 affiliations
- 1Henan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Rapid-Accuracy Medical Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475000, China.
- 2Kaifeng Engineering Technology Research Center for In Vitro Diagnostics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475000, China.
- 3Henan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Rapid-Accuracy Medical Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475000, China. [email protected].
- 4Kaifeng Engineering Technology Research Center for In Vitro Diagnostics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475000, China. [email protected].
- 5State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen responsible for healthcare-associated infections, and the emergence of carbapenem-resistant strains (CRPA) poses significant clinical challenges. Phage therapy is increasingly recognized as a promising strategy against drug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to identify a phage capable of effectively lysing CRPA. Using CRPA clinical isolates (PA19N) as hosts, phages were isolated and purified from water samples via the double-layer agar plate assay. A P. aeruginosa phage, designated Henuyfy19N, was successfully isolated. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that it possesses a head with diameter of approximately 87.94 ± 1.32 nm and a tail length of about 130.25 ± 3.65 nm, and it forms plaques with clear, distinct margins. The phage exhibited an optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 against PA19N, with a latent period of 10 min, and a rise period of 30 min. It demonstrated strong stability under various temperature and pH conditions but was sensitive to UV irradiation. Whole-genome sequencing showed that the phage has a 93,413 bp linear dsDNA genome with a G + C content of 49.42%, containing 161 ORFs and 16 tRNAs; no known virulence or antibiotic resistance genes were detected. Functional annotation predicted genes involved in structural proteins, DNA replication/packaging, and lysis. In vitro, Henuyfy19N effectively inhibited PA19N growth, reduced viable bacterial counts, and exhibited anti-biofilm activity by both disrupting and preventing biofilm formation. In Galleria mellonella larvae and a mouse infection model, the phage demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against PA19N infections. These findings establish Henuyfy19N as a safe, stable, and effective candidate for the treatment of CRPA infection.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026characterization,
title = {{Characterization of phage Henuyfy19N against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its efficacy in animal models.}},
author = {Xin Wang and Xinwei Zhang and Dong Liu and Jiaqi He and Yingge Mao and Qiaolian Zhao and Zhigang Liu and Xiaoquan Li and Fang Wang and Li Wang and Qiming Li},
journal = {AMB Express},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s13568-026-02099-1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972195},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Characterization of phage Henuyfy19N against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its efficacy in animal models.
AU - Xin Wang
AU - Xinwei Zhang
AU - Dong Liu
AU - Jiaqi He
AU - Yingge Mao
AU - Qiaolian Zhao
AU - Zhigang Liu
AU - Xiaoquan Li
AU - Fang Wang
AU - Li Wang
AU - Qiming Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/05
JO - AMB Express
DO - 10.1186/s13568-026-02099-1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972195
AB - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen responsible for healthcare-associated infections, and the emergence of carbapenem-resistant strains (CRPA) poses significant clinical challenges. Phage therapy is increasingly recognized as a promising strategy against drug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to identify a phage capable of effectively lysing CRPA. Using CRPA clinical isolates (PA19N) as hosts, phages were isolated and purified from water samples via the double-layer agar plate assay. A P. aeruginosa phage, designated Henuyfy19N, was successfully isolated. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that it possesses a head with diameter of approximately 87.94 ± 1.32 nm and a tail length of about 130.25 ± 3.65 nm, and it forms plaques with clear, distinct margins. The phage exhibited an optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 against PA19N, with a latent period of 10 min, and a rise period of 30 min. It demonstrated strong stability under various temperature and pH conditions but was sensitive to UV irradiation. Whole-genome sequencing showed that the phage has a 93,413 bp linear dsDNA genome with a G + C content of 49.42%, containing 161 ORFs and 16 tRNAs; no known virulence or antibiotic resistance genes were detected. Functional annotation predicted genes involved in structural proteins, DNA replication/packaging, and lysis. In vitro, Henuyfy19N effectively inhibited PA19N growth, reduced viable bacterial counts, and exhibited anti-biofilm activity by both disrupting and preventing biofilm formation. In Galleria mellonella larvae and a mouse infection model, the phage demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against PA19N infections. These findings establish Henuyfy19N as a safe, stable, and effective candidate for the treatment of CRPA infection.
SN - 2191-0855
ER -