SPOTTING METHOD OF PHAGE TYPING MYCOBACTERIA - TYPING MYCOBACTERIA WITH ROUTINE TEST DILUTIONS

Abstract

Several new strains of bacteriophage with fairly specific activities on strains of mycobacteria were presented. The GS4E phage lyses the human but not the bovine strains of tubercle bacilli. The AGI phage lyses the M. kansasii strain and, when used with the DS6A phage, is useful in identifying this strain of unclassified mycobacteria. The routine test dilution was used in connection with the spotting method of phage testing and differentiated between susceptible and nonsusceptible bacterial strains. The pattern of lysis of many of the important mycobacterial strains was worked out. By using this pattern of lysis it is possible to identify and differentiate many of the strains in common usage.