ORCID

0000-0002-8370-9925

Department

Biological Sciences

Year of Study

2

Full-time or Part-time Study

Full-time

Level

Postgraduate

Presentation Type

Poster

Supervisor

Jim O'Mahony

Abstract

Johne’s disease is a chronic gastroenteritis condition that affects ruminants that results in animal death and major economic losses in the agriculture sector. The etiological agent of Johne’s disease, Mycobacterium avium sbsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), has also been associated with human diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s and Parkinson’s. Several mycobacteriophage-based diagnostic assays have been developed to detect MAP in clinical samples. In an effort to contribute to the available bank of MTU mycobacteriophages, with the additional goal of isolating viruses capable of infecting MAP, a simple screening study of environmental samples was conducted. Mycobacteriophage buffer was mixed with (mainly soil) samples and dense organic material was allowed to settle before the buffer was decanted, filtered and enriched. Traditional plaque- and spot-assays were used to confirm the presence or absence of mycobacteriophage in the enriched samples. The study was successful in isolating a novel Fishburnevirus, Nix22, from leaf litter collected in Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin, that demonstrates mycobactericidal activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. Several MAP strains are currently being cultivated to explore the host range of this phage. Should Nix22 have activity against MAP, it could be a useful candidate for targeted phage-based diagnostic strategies for Johne’s disease. As a consequence of improving diagnostics, early interventions can be implemented, which will greatly improve current control strategies, animal welfare and agricultural profit.

Keywords:

Mycobacterium, bacteriophage, Johne's disease, paratuberculosis, MAP

Start Date

June 2022

End Date

June 2022

Comments

Unfortunately I am away at a week long conference during the relevant week in June, so will be unable to present my abstract, but I have submitted in any case for the consideration for inclusion in the book of abstracts.

Download

Share

COinS
 
Jun 14th, 10:45 AM Jun 14th, 2:00 PM

Isolating mycobacteriophage for the biocontrol of Johne’s disease.

Johne’s disease is a chronic gastroenteritis condition that affects ruminants that results in animal death and major economic losses in the agriculture sector. The etiological agent of Johne’s disease, Mycobacterium avium sbsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), has also been associated with human diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s and Parkinson’s. Several mycobacteriophage-based diagnostic assays have been developed to detect MAP in clinical samples. In an effort to contribute to the available bank of MTU mycobacteriophages, with the additional goal of isolating viruses capable of infecting MAP, a simple screening study of environmental samples was conducted. Mycobacteriophage buffer was mixed with (mainly soil) samples and dense organic material was allowed to settle before the buffer was decanted, filtered and enriched. Traditional plaque- and spot-assays were used to confirm the presence or absence of mycobacteriophage in the enriched samples. The study was successful in isolating a novel Fishburnevirus, Nix22, from leaf litter collected in Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin, that demonstrates mycobactericidal activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. Several MAP strains are currently being cultivated to explore the host range of this phage. Should Nix22 have activity against MAP, it could be a useful candidate for targeted phage-based diagnostic strategies for Johne’s disease. As a consequence of improving diagnostics, early interventions can be implemented, which will greatly improve current control strategies, animal welfare and agricultural profit.