Characterization of a Pasteurella multocida bacteriophage

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Bacteriology

Background:

• Pasteurella multocida is a significant bacterial pathogen.
• Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and can be temperate or lytic.
• Understanding phage characteristics is crucial for potential applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the Pasteurella multocida bacteriophage B939a.
• To determine the phage's stability and morphology.
• To investigate its lytic potential.

Main Methods:

• Observation of plaque morphology (turbid plaques).
• Attempted induction of lytic phage production via UV irradiation.
• Assessment of phage stability at various temperatures (4°C, room temperature, 60°C, 70°C).
• Morphological analysis using electron microscopy (implied by description).

Main Results:

• Bacteriophage B939a produced turbid plaques, indicative of a temperate phage.
• UV irradiation failed to induce lytic phage production.
• The phage demonstrated high stability at 4°C and relative stability at room temperature.
• It tolerated moist heat at 60°C but was inactivated at 70°C within 10 minutes.
• Morphologically, it was identified as a tailed phage with a hexagonal head.

Conclusions:

• Bacteriophage B939a is a stable, temperate phage of Pasteurella multocida.
• Its resistance to UV-induced lysis and specific thermal inactivation points are key characteristics.
• The tailed, hexagonal head morphology is a defining feature.