Bacteriophage application for control of Cronobacter in liquid media and in biofilms

Cronobacter spp. are responsible for rare but fatal cases of infection in neonates and immunocompromised persons. These bacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and were also isolated from various foods, the powdered infant formula being the main vehicle for its transmission in neonatal infections. In the present study, effects of four bacteriophages against Cronobacter in liquid media and in biofilm were assessed. Ten selected Cronobacter isolates belonging to four species showed variable inhibition by phages in minimal medium with maltose and in powdered infant formula. Bacteriophages significantly decreased growth and biofilm production of the bacterial cultures in maltose minimal medium, the highest effect being observed in the phage cocktail samples. However, the efficiency of bacteriophages for biofilm removal in powdered infant formula was limited only to three strains. Our results will facilitate development of new strategies for Cronobacter control in food and food processing factories.