The Predatory Bacteria Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus LR3: A Potential Biocontrol Agent Against Gram-Negative Pathogenic Microorganisms.

The paper describes a predatory Gram-negative bacterium from the genus Bdellovibrio, which was isolated from water of the Lyubozhikha River. As revealed by electron microscopy, the bacterium is an intracellular predator of Gram-negative microorganisms. Its prey range includes Pseudomonas tolaasii, the phytopathogen responsible for brown spot disease in the cultivated button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). Based on the results of a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the bacterium was identified as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strain LR3. We characterized the predator-prey dynamics between B. bacteriovorus LR3 and P. tolaasii, determining the optimal temperature and pH conditions for this interaction. Our results demonstrate the potential of B. bacteriovorus LR3 as a biocontrol agent against P. tolaasii in mushroom cultivation. The possibility of using B. bacteriovorus LR3 against clinical cases Salmonella and Escherichia infections is also addressed.