Isolation and characterization of coliphage omega 18A specific for Escherichia coli O18ac strains

The bacteriophage omega 18A, specific for Escherichia coli O18ac strains, was isolated from sewage. The results of host range and conjugation experiments showed that the sensitivity of bacteria to the phage is associated with the presence of O18ac antigens. With some of the O18 strains the phage omega 18A produces clear lysis on bacterial lawns only when applied at a high multiplicity and moreover the phage does not multiply. With the help of the phage omega 18A, E. coli O18ac strains could be divided into two serologically distinct subgroups called O18A and O18A1. E. coli strains belonging to the subgroup O18A are sensitive to phage omega 18A whereas bacteria of subgroup A1 are resistant.