Preliminary observations on bacteriophages isolated from equine farms and their potential applications in equines

Bacteriophages represent a potential alternative for combating bacterial infections. Because of their narrow host range and the ever emergence of novel pathogen variants, the continued search for phages is a prerequisite for optimal treatment of bacterial infections. Here, we performed impromptu survey in the surroundings of two equine farms for the presence of bacteriophages against natural microbial residents as well as against some targeted bacteria. Samples of soil, sewage and dung were collected randomly and tested simultaneously for the presence of bacteria and phages with strong lytic activity. Phages could be isolated from almost all samples of soil and sewage against natural bacterial residents as well as against target bacteria. The phages were found to belong to order Caudovirales. The bacteriophages are of immense significance in the current scenario of emerging antimicrobial resistance and may be applied in biocontrol of pathogens as autophagy therapy at equine and other animal farms.