Changes in Typing Pattern of Phage-Type 80 Staphylococci

Abstract

Three temperate phages isolated from lysogenic staphylococci of phage type 52/52A/80 were used to lysogenize strains of phage-type 80. Two of these phages belonged to serological group A and one to serological group F. Lysogenization of a strain of phage-type 80 with one of the phages (287[image]) resulted in a change in the typing pattern from 80/81 to 52/52A/80. There was, therefore, a gain in sensitivity to phage 52 and 52A and a loss in sensitivity to phage 81. Lysogenization of type 80 strains with the second phage (581[image]) caused a loss in sensitivity to phage 81, while lysogenization with phage 7287[image] caused a gain in sensitivity to phage 52 and 52A. Loss in sensitivity to phage 81 after lysogenization with phage 287[image] seems most probably due to specific prophage immunity since phages 287[image] and 81 belong to the same serological group (A) and may be closely related. Loss in sensitivity to phage 81 after lysogenization with phage 581[image] does not appear to be a case of specific prophage immunity since the two phages are serologically distinct and the phenomenon resembles examples of prophage interference observed in other organisms.