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Phage typing of Bacillus subtilis and B. thuringiensis
H W Ackermann1, R R Azizbekyan, R L Bernier
1Félix d'Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada.
Research in Microbiology
|October 1, 1995
Summary
New phage typing schemes were developed for Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thuringiensis using 98 phages. These schemes aid in classifying bacterial strains and controlling identity, with applications extending to Bacillus cereus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Background:
- Phage typing is crucial for differentiating bacterial strains.
- Existing schemes for Bacillus species require refinement for better specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop robust phage typing schemes for Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thuringiensis.
- To classify phages and bacterial strains for improved identification and control.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 98 phages and 743 bacterial strains to construct typing schemes.
- Employed electron microscopy for phage classification.
- Assessed host-species specificity of the phages.
Main Results:
- Established a phage typing scheme for Bacillus subtilis with 10 phages and 29 phage types.
- Developed a scheme for Bacillus thuringiensis comprising 8 phages and 25 phage types, applicable to Bacillus cereus.
- Found no correlation between H antigen serotypes and phagovars in Bacillus thuringiensis.
Conclusions:
- The new phage typing schemes provide effective tools for differentiating Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thuringiensis strains.
- The schemes facilitate bacterial strain identification and quality control.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of phage-bacterial interactions and classification.