Characteristics of the novel Enterococcus vB_Efa29212_2e and vB_Efa29212_3e bacteriophages. Bacteriophage sp.

Enterococcus faecalis bacteria are isolated from secondary or persistent dental intra-root infections with a frequency of 0.24 to 0.77. Standard treatment methods are often insufficient in the elimination of the bacteria biofilm, therefore new solutions are needed, e.g. based on the natural enemies of these bacteria - bacteriophages. The aim of the project was to assess two bacteriophages strains specific to Enerococcus faecalis for their possible application in endodontic therapy. The strains vB_Efa29212_2e and vB_Efa29212_3e were isolated from the pre-treated wastewater fraction obtained from the Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant in Lodz and propagated to obtain a high number of phage particles. Next the phages were examined in multiple ways: their genome was sequenced and the microscopic morphology was established by transmission electron microscopy.The effect of environmental factors: temperature, pH, UV and standard endodontic agents: EDTA, sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine digluconate on the phages was determined. The biological features of the phages: latency period (latent infection period) and the number of daughter phage particles (burst size) were also assessed. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the bacteriophages against planktonic forms and biofilms of E. faecalis was studied.