Aplicação da ferramenta Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) na caracterização molecular de bacteriófagos de Klebsiella spp.

Abstract

Phage therapy, strategy that uses bacteriophages (viruses highly specific to bacteria) to lyse infection-causing bacteria, has gained relevance given the current context of bacterial multiresistance to antimicrobials. This study aimed to perform the molecular characterization of ten Klebsiella spp. phages, using RAPD-PCR to analyze genetic diversity. After DNA extraction following the protocol described by Sambrook and Russel (2001), RAPD-PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis, distinct profiles among the isolates were revealed, suggesting that at least four different phages were identified. RAPD-PCR proved to be effective, however, further experiments are needed for better characterization of the isolates and evaluation of their therapeutic potential.