Antibiotics resistance is expanding amongst pathogenic bacteria. Phage therapy is a revived concept for targeting bacteria with multiple antibiotics resistances. In the present study, we isolated and characterized a novel phage from hospital treatment plant input, using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as host bacterium. Phage lytic activity was detected by using soft agar assay. Whole-genome sequencing of the phage was performed by using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Host range was determined using other species of bacteria and representative genogroups of E. coli. Whole-genome sequencing of the phage revealed that Escherichia phage Ioannina is a novel phage within the Dhillonvirus genus, but significantly diverged from other Dhillonviruses. Its genome is a 45,270 bp linear double-stranded DNA molecule that encodes 61 coding sequences (CDSs). The coding sequence of CDS28, a putative tail fiber protein, presented higher similarity to representatives of other phage families, signifying a possible recombination event. Escherichia phage Ioannina lytic activity was broad amongst the E. coli genogroups of clinical and environmental origin with multiple resistances. This phage may present in the future an important therapeutic tool against bacterial strains with multiple antibiotic resistances.

Escherichia Coli ( E. coli ) is one of the most prevalent bacteria in the gut and plays an important role in the formation of the intestinal microbiome. In this study, Escherichia phage Ioannina, a novel member of Caudoviricetes , with high lytic activity against E. coli ATCC 25922, was isolated from hospital wastewater. Escherichia phage Ioannina was highly resistant to a broad range of temperatures and alkaline pH, but was sensitive to acidic pH. Whole genome sequencing of the phage, revealed that Escherichia phage Ioannina is a novel phage within the Dhillonvirus genus. Its genome is a 45,270 bp double-stranded DNA molecule that encodes 64 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The phylogenetic analysis of open reading frames, which diversified Escherichia phage Ioannina from other dhillonviruses, indicated that ORF31 (a putative tail fiber protein) presented higher similarity to representatives of other phage families. ORF31 was significantly more related to similar ORFs belonging to the Kuravirus and Tunavirus ( Drexlerviridae ) genera, indicating a possible recombination event.

Escherichia Coli ( E. coli ) is one of the most prevalent bacteria in the gut and plays an important role in the formation of the intestinal microbiome. In this study, Escherichia phage Ioannina, a novel member of Caudoviricetes , with high lytic activity against E. coli ATCC 25922, was isolated from hospital wastewater. Escherichia phage Ioannina was highly resistant to a broad range of temperatures and alkaline pH, but was sensitive to acidic pH. Whole genome sequencing of the phage, revealed that Escherichia phage Ioannina is a novel phage within the Dhillonvirus genus. Its genome is a 45,270 bp double-stranded DNA molecule that encodes 64 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The phylogenetic analysis of open reading frames, which diversified Escherichia phage Ioannina from other dhillonviruses, indicated that ORF31 (a putative tail fiber protein) presented higher similarity to representatives of other phage families. ORF31 was significantly more related to similar ORFs belonging to the Kuravirus and Tunavirus ( Drexlerviridae ) genera, indicating a possible recombination event.