Distribution of RNA coliphages in Senegal, Ghana, and Madagascar

The distribution patterns of RNA coliphages (phages) in Senegal, Ghana, and Madagascar were investigated by collecting sewage samples from domestic drainage in November, 1980. In Senegal, among 65 sewage samples collected mainly from Dakar and its vicinity, 14 (22%) contained RNA phages (16 strains). By serological analysis, 13 of 16 strains were found to belong to group III. This is consistent with the distribution pattern of RNA coliphages in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. In Ghana, however, among 106 samples collected from Accra, Suhum, and their vicinities, only seven (7%) contained RNA phages (seven strains) (groups I, II, and III [1:3:3]). In Madagascar, among 124 samples collected from Antananarivo, Moramanga, and their vicinities, seven (6%) contained RNA phages (seven strains) (groups I, II, III, and IV [1:1:1:4]). In spite of the low isolation frequency, it can be said that Madagascar appears to have a unique distribution pattern (abundance of group IV phages) which differs from that of any other countries we have examined. The generality of the distribution pattern of RNA phages in the tropical region (abundance of group III phages) was thus verified at least in Senegal.