Characterization of a novel Achromobacter xylosoxidans specific siphoviruse: phiAxp-1

The worldwide rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has created the need for alternative means of controlling pathogenic bacteria1. Recently, interest in bacteriophages has increased because of their potential use as typing, diagnostic, therapeutic, decontaminating and bio-control agents2,3. In this study, Achromobacter xylosoxidans phage phiAxp-1 was isolated and characterized biologically. A. xylosoxidans is an aerobic Gram-negative bacillus that is an opportunistic human pathogen of immunocompromised hosts4. As a motile bacterium from the Achromobacter genus of the Alcaligenaceae family5, it is mainly found in moist soil and different water sources6. Recently, A. xylosoxidans was recognized as an emerging nosocomial pathogen7. This bacterium is commonly associated with a range of respiratory infections8. Although a large diversity of phages targeting a broad range of A. xylosoxidans strains have been described6, only two phages, JWAlpha and JWDelta, have been studied in detail via whole genome sequencing7. Our research aimed to isolate and characterize novel Achromobacter phages to expand the repertoire of phages available for targeting clinically significant A. xylosoxidans. Genomic analysis of bacteriophages is an important preliminary step in the development of a phage therapy protocol9. In this manuscript, we sequenced the genome of phage phiAxp-1 and characterized it further by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and one-step growth curve and stability studies. In addition, the host component bound by the phage was identified.