Bacteriophages: A possible solution to combat enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infections in neonatal goats

Due to awareness and benefits of goat rearing in developing economies, goats' significance is increasing. Unfortunately, these ruminants are threatened via multiple bacterial pathogens such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). In goat kids and lambs, EPEC causes gastrointestinal disease leading to substantial economic losses for farmers and may also pose a threat to public health via the spread of zoonotic diseases. Management of infection is primarily based on antibiotics, but the need for new therapeutic measures as an alternative to antibiotics is becoming vital because of the advent of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The prevalence of EPEC was established using bfpA gene, uspA gene and Stx1 gene, followed by phylogenetic analysis using Stx1 gene. The lytic activity of the isolated putative coliphages was tested on multi-drug resistant strains of EPEC. It was observed that a PCR based approach is more effective and rapid as compared to phenotypic tests of Escherichia coli virulence. It was also established that the isolated bacteriophages exhibited potent antibacterial efficacy in vitro, with some of the isolates (16%) detected as T4 and T4-like phages based on gp23 gene. Hence, bacteriophages as therapeutic agents may be explored as an alternative to antibiotics in managing public, livestock and environmental health in this era of AMR.

Automated summary

Goats are of increasing significance in developing economies, but they are threatened by bacterial pathogens such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). EPEC causes gastrointestinal disease in goat kids and lambs, leading to economic losses and potential public health risks. Antibiotics are the primary management method, but alternatives are needed due to antimicrobial resistance. This study identifies the prevalence of EPEC using gene analysis and demonstrates the potential of bacteriophages as a therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.