Characterization of a Novel Tequatrovirus Phage from Pristine Stretch of The Ganges River, India, in Reducing Bacterial Load from Sewage Water

Effective treatment of wastewater (WW) and its reuse is necessary to meet certain sustainable development goals and a circular economy. Escherichia coli is one of the primary contaminants in the WW, and its extra-intestinal occurrence poses a considerable threat under one health. This study is the first report of a novel broad-spectrum phage (фERS-1) isolated from a pristine stretch of the Ganges River in the biocontrol of E. coli , resistant to 3 ^rd -and 4 ^th generation cephalosporins and aztreonam. This is the first report of a phage from the Tequatrovirus genus to infect P. aeruginosa . The фERS-1 could reduce the abundance of E. coli cells by 8.22 log ₁₀ CFU/mL ≤24 hrs. Additionally, □ ERS-1 disrupted the biofilm of E. coli with a reduction of 3.88 log ₁₀ CFU/mL. Further, □ ERS-1 could inhibit biofilm by multiple strains of E. coli and multiple genera ( E. coli, S. boydii, and P. aeruginosa ). The phage □ ERS-1 reduced bacterial counts in raw WW by 2 log ₁₀ CFU/mL and 4 log ₁₀ CFU/mL reduction in coliform-enriched WW in ≤24 hours. Overall, this study suggests that □ ERS-1 could be used as an effective alternative to be combined with other treatments for improving the quality of WW disposal and environmental health by reducing the bacterial load.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

• Isolation of a novel phage from a pristine stretch of the Ganges River

• Antibiofilm activity against E. coli >8 log ₁₀ inhibition, >3 log ₁₀ disruption

• Biofilm inhibition of >50% against P. aeruginosa and S. boydii

• 2 log ₁₀ and 4 log ₁₀ reduction of bacterial counts in phage-treated raw sewage