Bacteriophage-resistant mutants in Yersinia pestis: identification of phage receptors and attenuation for mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bacteriophages specific for Yersinia pestis are routinely used for plague diagnostics and could be an alternative to antibiotics in case of drug-resistant plague. A major concern of bacteriophage therapy is the emergence of phage-resistant mutants. The use of phage cocktails can overcome this problem but only if the phages exploit different receptors. Some phage-resistant mutants lose virulence and therefore should not complicate bacteriophage therapy.

Methodology/principal findings

The purpose of this work was to identify Y. pestis phage receptors using site-directed mutagenesis and trans-complementation and to determine potential attenuation of phage-resistant mutants for mice. Six receptors for eight phages were found in different parts of the lipopolysaccharid

SUBMITTER: Filippov AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3182234 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature