Characterisation of novel Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteriophages and their efficacy in disrupting pathogenic dual-species biofilms.

BACKGROUND

The targeted manipulation of the microbiome using bacteriophages represents a novel approach for addressing antibiotic resistance and polymicrobial diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To isolate and characterise bacteriophages for key bacteria associated with pathogenic periodontal biofilms.

DESIGN

Using standard microbiological and bioinformatics techniques, this study isolated and characterized lytic (FNU2 and FNU3) and temperate (FNU4) bacteriophages specific to Fusobacterium nucleatum, a key bacterium in oral biofilms linked to periodontitis and a range of cancers.

RESULTS

Morphological and genomic analyses revealed distinct features, with FNU2 and FNU3 classified as Latrobevirus and FNU4 as an unclassified Caudoviricetes. Comparative bioinformatic analysis revealed various defence and anti-defence systems in bacterial hosts and bacteriophages, highlighting complex interactions. Functional assays demonstrated the efficacy of these bacteriophages in disrupting single-species F. nucleatum biofilms and dual-species biofilms of F. nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential of F. nucleatum-specific bacteriophages as precise tools for microbiome modulation in chronic diseases such as periodontitis and cancer.