R18C is a new viable P2-like bacteriophage of rabbit origin infecting Citrobacter rodentium and Shigella sonnei strains

Arch Virol. 2019 Dec;164(12):3157-3160. doi: 10.1007/s00705-019-04424-5. Epub 2019 Oct 23.

Abstract

Here, we report a novel virulent P2-like bacteriophage, R18C, isolated from rabbit faeces, which, in addition to Escherichia coli K-12 strains, was able to be propagated on Citrobacter rodentium strain ICC169 and a range of Shigella sonnei strains with high efficiency of plating (EOP). It represents the first lytic bacteriophage originating from rabbit and the first infectious P2-like phage of animal origin. In the three characteristic moron-containing regions of P2-like phages, R18C contains genes with unknown function that have so far only been found in cryptic P2-like prophages.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriophages / classification
  • Bacteriophages / genetics
  • Bacteriophages / isolation & purification*
  • Citrobacter rodentium / physiology
  • Citrobacter rodentium / virology*
  • Feces / virology
  • Genome, Viral
  • Prophages / classification
  • Prophages / genetics
  • Prophages / isolation & purification
  • Rabbits / microbiology*
  • Shigella sonnei / physiology
  • Shigella sonnei / virology*

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