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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Bacteriophage Removal from Infected Salmonella Cultures
Published on: June 28, 2024
Isolation of bacteriophages from the oral cavity
G Hitch1, J Pratten, P W Taylor
1Microbiology Group, School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, UK.
Aims:
To isolate bacteriophages lytic for oral pathogens from human saliva, dental plaque and mature biofilms constituted from saliva-derived bacteria.
Methods And Results:
Saliva and dental plaque samples from healthy volunteers and from patients with gingivitis and periodontitis were examined for the presence of lytic bacteriophage using a panel of oral pathogens and bacteria isolated from the samples. Samples were also enriched for bacteriophage using static culture techniques and mature biofilms. A limited number of samples contained bacteriophage particles that were visualized using electron microscopy. Cultures yielded phage infecting non-oral bacteria (Proteus mirabilis) but no bacteriophage specific for recognized oral pathogens were found. Some micro-organisms from the oral microflora elaborated antibacterial substances that inhibited growth of other residents of the oral cavity.
Conclusions:
Unlike other ecosystems, the composition of the oral cavity does not appear to be heavily influenced by interactions between bacteriophages and their hosts.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
Bacteriophage for control of oral infections may need to be obtained from other sources. Antibacterial substances derived from some members of the oral microflora warrant investigation as potential antibiotics.
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