Characterization and comparative genome analysis of a new Tequatrovirus phage infecting Escherichia coli ST131

Objective The global rise of antimicrobial resistance with the spread of pathogenic multidrug-resistant clones such as Escherichia coli sequence type (ST) 131 represents a major challenge for public health, renewing interest in bacteriophages as therapeutical agents. Results We report the isolation and characterization of a new phage, Escherichia phage vB_EcoM-V1EC45, which was isolated from wastewater and was able to infect a clinical E. coli ST131 strain. Its genome is a 170,364 bp double-stranded DNA molecule annotated with 281 coding sequences and 9 tRNAs, including multiple genes involved in antidefense systems. V1EC45 is predicted to harbour a virulent lifestyle. Comparative genomics positioned V1EC45 within the Tequatrovirus genus, and the Tsx outer membrane bacterial protein is predicted to be used as the receptor-binding protein. This work highlights the value of using genomic, structural, and evolutionary analyses to support the directed development of targeted bacteriophage therapeutics.