Open AccessIsolation and characterization of a virulent bacteriophage from Staphylococcus carnosus
Author(s) -
Götz Friedrich,
Popp Fritz,
Schleifer Karl Heinz
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1984.tb01083.x
Subject(s) - bacteriophage , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , escherichia coli , mutant , bacteria , starter , staphylococcus aureus , staphylococcus , escherichia , genetics , gene , food science
A virulent bacteriophage, øSK311, was isolated from Staphylococcus carnosus , an organism used as a starter culture for the production of dry sausage. Electron microscopic studies revealed that this bacteriophage showed some morphological similarities with the Escherichia coli phages T4 and λ. The host range of øSK311 extends over 9 different staphylococcal species. A phage‐resistant mutant of S. carnosus could be isolated. Cells of this mutant exhibited a capsule‐like structure. The DNA of øSK311 possesses a G + C content of 31.4 mol% and appears to be highly modified.