BDELLOVIBRIO BACTERIOVORUS: MORE THAN JUST A BACTERIAL HUNTER
Abstract: Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predatory gram-negative deltaproteobacteria that preys on other gram-negative bacterial species. With the surge in the cases of Anti-Microbial Resistance and the demand to replace conventional antibiotics, this predatory attribute of B. bacteriovorus has led to a vast number of studies in the last decade alone. These studies demonstrated various aspects of predation and proposed using B. bacteriovorus as an alternative new approach to conventional antibiotics in humans. Here we review the current progress made in this promising new area of research to develop novel antibacterial approaches.
1. Introduction. 2. Characterizing B. bacteriovorus. 2.1. Requirements for survival. 2.2. Predation overview. 2.3. Attack phase. 2.4. Prey entry and invasion. 2.5. Growth phase. 2.6. Survival of attack phase cells. 2.7. Synergistic effect of B. bacteriovorus and conventional antibacterials. 3. B. bacteriovorus: a possible “live antibacterial”. 3.1. In-vitro evidence. 3.2. In-vivo evidence. 3.3. Obstacles. 4. Industrial applications of B. bacteriovorus. 5. Summary