Characteristics and complete genome analysis of the novel virulent phage Bfsp1 infecting Cytobacillus firmus

We isolated, identified, and characterised Bfsp1, a novel virulent phage of Cytobacillus firmus . Morphologically, Bfsp1 is similar to phi29-like phages. The linear, double-stranded DNA genome of Bfsp1 is 22,320 bp in length, has a GC content of 36.06%, and has 10-bp inverted terminal repeats. The genome contains 33 open reading frames, and functions of 15 of them were predicted. Comparative genome analysis showed that Bfsp1 is distinct from other known phages, and this was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Morphological, genomic, and phylogenetic data indicated that Bfsp1 is a novel member of the family Salasmaviridae .