Not Availablevirulent Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria and
the corresponding novel, lytic bacteriophage (VTCCBPA5)
were isolated from village pond water. The phage was found
to belong to family Podoviridae. PCR analysis of major
capsid protein gene confirmed its classification to T7-like
genus. The protein profiling by SDS-PAGE indicated the
major structural protein to be ~ 45 kDa. The phage (VTCCBPA5)
is host specific and is stable over a range of pH
(6–10) and temperatures (4–45 °C). On the basis of restriction
endonuclease analysis combined with prediction mapping,
it was observed to vary significantly from previously
reported podophages of Aeromonas sp., viz. phiAS7 and
Ahp1. The phylogenetic analysis on the basis of PCR-amplified
segment of DNA polymerase gene of phage revealed it
being an outgroup from podophages of Klebsiella sp. and
Pseudomonas sp. though a small internal fragment (359 bp)
showed the highest identity (77%) with Vibrio sp. phages.
Thus, this is the first report of a novel Podoviridae phage
against A. veronii. It expands the assemblage of podophages
against Aeromonas sp. and BPA5 could be potentially useful
in biocontrol of environmentally acquired Aeromonas
veronii infections.ICA
