Phage Mediated Selection in Vibrio cholerae
Author Information
Author(s): Zahid M. Shamim Hasan, Waise Zaved, Kamruzzaman M., Ghosh A.N., Nair G. Balakrish, Bashar S.A.M. Khairul, Mekalanos John J., Faruque Shah M.
Primary Institution: International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
Hypothesis
Could the bacteriophage JSF9 contribute to the replacement of classical Vibrio cholerae strains by El Tor strains?
Conclusion
The study suggests that the ability of El Tor strains to evade predation by JSF9 phage may have contributed to their emergence as the dominant pandemic biotype.
Supporting Evidence
- The JSF9 phage was found to kill classical strains and favor El Tor strains.
- El Tor strains showed a significantly higher cumulative competition index in the presence of JSF9 phage.
- Spontaneous mutants of classical strains resistant to JSF9 were less effective in colonization.
Takeaway
This study shows that a virus called JSF9 helps El Tor bacteria survive better than classical bacteria, which might explain why El Tor is now the main type causing cholera.
Methodology
Competition assays were conducted in infant mice and microcosms using El Tor and classical biotype strains with and without JSF9 phage.
Limitations
The study did not identify the specific receptor for JSF9 phage infection.
Participant Demographics
Infant mice were used as the model organism.
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