Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Two bacteriophages of Clostridium difficile.

D E Mahony, P D Bell, K B Easterbrook

    Journal of Clinical Microbiology
    |February 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    Two temperate bacteriophages targeting Clostridium difficile were identified. Phage 56, with unique morphology and magnesium sensitivity, showed efficient adsorption but did not confer toxigenicity.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Unraveling the relationship between macula densa cell volume and luminal solute concentration/osmolality.

    Kidney international·2006
    Same author

    Cellular mechanisms of WNK4-mediated regulation of ion transport proteins in the distal tubule.

    Kidney international·2006
    Same author

    Interaction of bismuth subsalicylate with fruit juices, ascorbic acid, and thiol-containing substrates to produce soluble bismuth products active against Clostridium difficile.

    Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy·2004
    Same author

    Current mechanisms of macula densa cell signalling.

    Acta physiologica Scandinavica·2004
    Same author

    Regulation of mesangial cell Na+/Ca2+ exchanger isoforms.

    Journal of cellular physiology·2004
    Same author

    Impaired ability of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger from the Dahl/Rapp salt-sensitive rat to regulate cytosolic calcium.

    American journal of physiology. Renal physiology·2003

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Virology
    • Bacteriology

    Background:

    • Clostridium difficile infections are a significant healthcare concern.
    • Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are being explored as therapeutic agents.
    • Understanding bacteriophage characteristics is crucial for their potential application.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To isolate and characterize temperate bacteriophages infecting Clostridium difficile.
    • To compare the morphology, growth, and adsorption properties of isolated phages.
    • To investigate the potential of phage 56 in lysogenizing C. difficile and affecting toxigenicity.

    Main Methods:

    • Screening of 94 Clostridium difficile isolates for temperate bacteriophages.
    • Morphological characterization using electron microscopy.
    • One-step growth, adsorption experiments, and lysogenization assays.
    • Assessment of phage stability under varying magnesium concentrations and pH.

    Main Results:

    • Isolation of two distinct temperate bacteriophages, Phage 41 and Phage 56.
    • Phage 41 possessed a flexible tail (300 nm), while Phage 56 had a contractile sheath tail and smaller virus-like particles (21 nm) under specific conditions.
    • Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) enhanced Phage 56 titer and plaque size.
    • Phage 56 exhibited greater temperature and pH lability compared to Phage 41.
    • Both phages had a ~60-minute latent period, with Phage 56 showing more efficient adsorption.
    • Lysogenization of a nontoxigenic strain with Phage 56 did not result in toxigenicity conversion.

    Conclusions:

    • Two novel temperate bacteriophages of Clostridium difficile were characterized.
    • Phage 56 displays unique morphological and physicochemical properties, including magnesium enhancement and increased lability.
    • Phage 56 efficiently infects its host but does not transfer toxigenicity, suggesting potential for targeted therapy without altering bacterial virulence.

    Related Experiment Videos