A Genomic Study of Salmonella Typhi ‘Vi’ Specific Bacteriophages: Futuristic Approach in Therapeutics

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the high endemicity of typhoid in developing country and the feasibility of phage therapy for this disease, the study was planned to determine the genomic structure of bacteriophages specific to ‘Vi’ positive Salmonella Typhi. Aim: To use different molecular tools to characterise Salmonella Typhi ‘Vi’ specific bacteriophages genotypically. Materials and Methods: Salmonella Typhi ‘Vi’ specific bacteriophages were isolated and propagated. Phage DNA was extracted and analysed by spectrophotometry, agarose gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme digestion was done. Results: In the present study, two bacteriophages targeted against ‘Vi’ positive Salmonella Typhi were isolated. DNA of the phages was extracted for molecular characterisation. On restriction analysis, both the phages were found to be of similar pattern, suggesting that they were genetically similar, although they had different plaque morphologies. Conclusion: The present study may be helpful in genomic characterisation of Salmonella Typhi ‘Vi’ specific bacteriophages for their future use in therapeutics.

Keywords

• agarose gel electrophoresis
• genomic structure
• phage therapy
• restriction digestion
• spectrophotometry