Assessing the environmental biosafety of phage-based biocontrol applications

Fortuna, Kiandro J.; Szoboszlay, Márton; Holtappels, Dominique; Lavigne, Rob; Tebbe, Christoph C.; Wagemans, Jeroen

doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105375

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 42 publications

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“…While most bacteriophages do not represent a direct threat to human health, the uncontrolled use of large-scale biocontrol in the environment or the use of recombinant bacteriophages may raise certain biosafety concerns, such as the potential dissemination of new genetic traits among bacterial populations or the indirect influence on non-target bacteria, which may influence natural processes in aquatic environments. Adopting a One Health approach, a thorough risk assessment evaluating the properties of bacteriophages used for biocontrol in the consumer water cycle is thus required to protect human health and the environment [ 79 , 80 ]. This approach should collectively aim to protect human health, animal health and environmental health.…”

Section: Biosafety Considerations For Bacteriophage Biocontrolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and Challenges of Applying Bacteriophage Biocontrol in the Consumer Water Cycle

Reyneke,

Havenga,

Waso-Reyneke

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Bacteria (including disinfection- and antibiotic-resistant bacteria) are abundant in the consumer water cycle, where they may cause disease, and lead to biofouling and infrastructure damage in distributions systems, subsequently resulting in significant economic losses. Bacteriophages and their associated enzymes may then offer a biological control solution for application within the water sector. Lytic bacteriophages are of particular interest as biocontrol agents as their narrow host range can be exploited for the targeted removal of specific bacteria in a designated environment. Bacteriophages can also be used to improve processes such as wastewater treatment, while bacteriophage-derived enzymes can be applied to combat biofouling based on their effectiveness against preformed biofilms. However, the host range, environmental stability, bacteriophage resistance and biosafety risks are some of the factors that need to be considered prior to the large-scale application of these bacterial viruses. Characteristics of bacteriophages that highlight their potential as biocontrol agents are thus outlined in this review, as well as the potential application of bacteriophage biocontrol throughout the consumer water cycle. Additionally, the limitations of bacteriophage biocontrol and corresponding mitigation strategies are outlined, including the use of engineered bacteriophages for improved host ranges, environmental stability and the antimicrobial re-sensitisation of bacteria. Finally, the potential public and environmental risks associated with large-scale bacteriophage biocontrol application are considered, and alternative applications of bacteriophages to enhance the functioning of the consumer water cycle, including their use as water quality or treatment indicators and microbial source tracking markers, are discussed.

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Section: Biosafety Considerations For Bacteriophage Biocontrolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and Challenges of Applying Bacteriophage Biocontrol in the Consumer Water Cycle

Reyneke,

Havenga,

Waso-Reyneke

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Food Webs and Feedbacks: The Untold Ecological Relevance of Antimicrobial Resistance as Seen in Harmful Algal Blooms

Banerji,

Brinkman,

Davis

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has long been framed as an epidemiological and public health concern. Its impacts on the environment are unclear. Yet, the basis for AMR is altered cell physiology. Just as this affects how microbes interact with antimicrobials, it can also affect how they interact with their own species, other species, and their non-living environment. Moreover, if the microbes are globally notorious for causing landscape-level environmental issues, then these effects could alter biodiversity and ecosystem function on a grand scale. To investigate these possibilities, we compiled peer-reviewed literature from the past 20 years regarding AMR in toxic freshwater cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs). We examined it for evidence of AMR affecting HAB frequency, severity, or persistence. Although no study within our scope was explicitly designed to address the question, multiple studies reported AMR-associated changes in HAB-forming cyanobacteria (and co-occurring microbes) that pertained directly to HAB timing, toxicity, and phase, as well as to the dynamics of HAB-afflicted aquatic food webs. These findings highlight the potential for AMR to have far-reaching environmental impacts (including the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function) and bring into focus the importance of confronting complex interrelated issues such as AMR and HABs in concert, with interdisciplinary tools and perspectives.

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Assessing the environmental biosafety of phage-based biocontrol applications

Cited by 2 publications

References 42 publications

Benefits and Challenges of Applying Bacteriophage Biocontrol in the Consumer Water Cycle

Benefits and Challenges of Applying Bacteriophage Biocontrol in the Consumer Water Cycle

Food Webs and Feedbacks: The Untold Ecological Relevance of Antimicrobial Resistance as Seen in Harmful Algal Blooms

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