Isolation, characterization, and genomic analysis of the novel T4-like bacteriophage φCJ20

Pathogenic Escherichia coli infections have been consistently reported annually. The basic characteristics and genome of the newly isolated phi CJ20 from swine feces was analyzed. To determine basic characteristics, dotting assays and double-layer agar assays were conducted. Bacteriophage particles were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed to determine the sizes of major structural proteins. The complete genome of the phage was analyzed. Bacteriophage particles were identified as Myoviridae, with a head measuring 110.57 +/- 1.89 nm and a contractile tail measuring 107.97 +/- 3.20 nm and were found to infect E. coli. Major structural proteins of phi CJ20 showed two well-pronounced bands of approximately 53.6 and 70.9 kDa. The genome size of phi CJ20 was 169,884 bp, and 118 of 307 open reading frames were annotated. This study provides a baseline for the development of E. coli infection treatment strategies.

Automated summary

Pathogenic Escherichia coli infections are consistently reported annually. The study analyzed the basic characteristics and genome of a new bacteriophage phi CJ20 isolated from swine feces, identifying it as capable of infecting E. coli. Various assays were conducted to determine the structural features and genome of phi CJ20, providing a foundation for the development of treatment strategies for E. coli infections.