Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteriophage.

Abstract

Thirty-eight phages were isolated from 48 strains of Bordetella bronchiseptica, and three additional phages were obtained as spontaneous, virulent mutants of these isolates. No evidence of induction was obtained upon exposing lysogenic B. bronchiseptica to ultraviolet light. Thirty-five of the 48 strains of B. bronchiseptica were sensitive to one or more of the 41 phages, and a unique phage pattern was obtained for each strain. Nine strains of Bordetella parapertussis were tested and each was sensitive to at least two of these phages; this heterologous lysis of B. parapertussis was obtained with 18 of the B. bronchiseptica phages, and represents additional evidence for the taxonomic relationship of these two species. However, no similar relationship was demonstrable with Bordetella pertussis; 50 strains were examined but all were insensitive to these phages. Seven strains of Alcaligenes faecalis and several of Brucella species were equally insensitive.