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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
10:39
Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: March 10, 2017
Phage formation in Staphylococcus muscae cultures; the release of the virus from the bacterial cell
The Journal of General Physiology
|November 1, 1948
Abstract:
1. The release of S. muscae phage in veal infusion medium is correlated with lysis of the host. 2. The release of the bacterial virus in Fildes' synthetic medium occurs in a step-wise manner before observable lysis of the cells occurs. This result has been confirmed by both turbidimetric readings and direct microscopic examination of the infected cells.
Insights
Bacteriophage release from Staphylococcus muscae occurs with host lysis in veal infusion medium. In synthetic media, phage release precedes visible cell lysis, confirmed by turbidimetry and microscopy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Background:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria.
- Understanding phage-host interactions is crucial in microbiology.
- Staphylococcus muscae is a bacterium with potential phage interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the release mechanism of S. muscae phage.
- To compare phage release in different growth media.
- To correlate phage release with host cell lysis.
Main Methods:
- Culturing S. muscae in veal infusion and Fildes' synthetic media.
- Infecting bacterial cultures with S. muscae phage.
- Monitoring phage release using turbidimetric readings.
- Observing infected cells via direct microscopic examination.
Main Results:
- Phage release in veal infusion medium correlated with host lysis.
- Phage release in Fildes' synthetic medium occurred stepwise before visible lysis.
- Turbidimetric data and microscopy confirmed stepwise release in synthetic medium.
Conclusions:
- The growth medium influences the kinetics of bacteriophage release.
- Phage release can precede host cell lysis in specific conditions.
- Bacteriophage-host dynamics are complex and medium-dependent.
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