Selection of T4-Related Bacteriophages with Low Frequency of Transduction for the Treatment of Infections Caused by E. coli

Sixty-one coliphage isolates were collected from wastewater in the town of Pushchino. The developed PCR tests showed that 46 out of 61 phages may be coliphages with low transduction frequency. Forty-six phages were tested for the ability to transduce the plasmid pTurboGFP-B. Plasmid transduction frequency was <10–7, confirming the low involvement of these plasmids in horizontal gene transfer via transduction; consequently, they can be relatively safe agents for phage therapy. Thus, the developed PCR tests for T4-related coliphages can be used for rapid sampling of phages that can be used to treat E. coli infections.