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Summary
Mitomycin C induction revealed bacteriophage-like particles in eleven Streptococcus bovis strains. Lysogenic Streptococcus bovis strains are unlikely to be a significant source of bacteriophages in the rumen environment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Background:
- Streptococcus bovis is a bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants.
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and play a role in microbial ecology.
- The lysogenic potential of Streptococcus bovis strains and their contribution to bacteriophage populations are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the lysogenic potential of Streptococcus bovis strains.
- To characterize bacteriophage-like particles produced by inducible Streptococcus bovis strains.
- To assess the prevalence of lysogenic Streptococcus bovis in different ecological niches, particularly the rumen.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight strains of Streptococcus bovis were cultured and subjected to mitomycin C induction.
- Bacterial lysates were examined for the presence of bacteriophage-like particles using electron microscopy.
- Lysates were tested for antimicrobial activity against indicator strains to detect viable bacteriophages.
Main Results:
- Eleven out of 48 Streptococcus bovis strains were inducible by mitomycin C.
- Bacteriophage-like particles were detected in the lysates of all 11 inducible strains.
- Viable bacteriophages were isolated from six of the induced lysates, with one lysate containing polyhead-like structures.
- Only one of 23 rumen-derived Streptococcus bovis strains was found to be lysogenic.
Conclusions:
- Mitomycin C induction is effective in identifying lysogenic Streptococcus bovis strains.
- Streptococcus bovis can harbor and produce bacteriophages.
- Lysogenic Streptococcus bovis strains appear to be uncommon in the rumen, suggesting they are not a major source of bacteriophages in this environment.