RAPD-based evaluation revealed genetically diverse populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus lytic bacteriophages isolated in urban sewage and Ebrie Lagoon, Cte dIvoire

The application of bacteriophages biocontrol requires the formulation of genetically distinct bacteriophages in a phage cocktail. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) - PCR is considered a cheap, reproducible, and readily applicable tool in detecting phage diversity compared to other molecular techniques such as whole-genome sequencing. We used in this study the RAPD-PCR technique to assess the genetic diversity of 28 bacteriophages infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. According to their RAPD profiles, isolated phages were grouped into 2 main clusters which included phages from the same host. The typing by RAPD-PCR of newly isolated phages was useful to assess the genetic diversity bypassing previous whole-genome sequencing analysis. These genetically distinct phages lytic against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus could potentially be used in a phage cocktail for biocontrol against these clinically and industrially relevant bacteria.   Key words: Phages, genetic diversity, RAPD PCR, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus.