Identification of the biological properties of three novel lytic bacteriophages capable of infecting Bacillus anthracis: Novel members of the class Caudoviricetes.

Novel Bacillus anthracis bacteriophages show promise as biological tools for anthrax control in livestock.

This study isolated and characterized three novel lytic bacteriophages (BaTR8, BaTR13, and BaTR16) capable of infecting Bacillus anthracis from environmental soil samples in Türkiye. Using 43 B. anthracis isolates as hosts, the researchers demonstrated that these phages infected 84.1% of bacterial strains and produced clear plaques. Transmission electron microscopy identified all three as siphoviruses belonging to class Caudoviricetes. Genome analysis revealed sizes ranging from 35,587 to 37,369 bp with approximately 35% GC content, containing 58-62 open reading frames without tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analyses based on whole-genome sequences and conserved signature genes (major capsid, portal, and terminase large subunit proteins) established these phages as members of a novel cluster distinct from Wbetavirus and Hubeivirus genera, clustering with the Athena phage. This research represents the first detailed characterization of B. anthracis bacteriophages isolated from Türkiye, providing valuable insights into phage biology relevant to anthrax control strategies in livestock populations where the disease remains endemic.

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