GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF MYCOBACTERIOPHAGES D28 AND D29

Abstract

Mycobacteriophage D28 propagated on M. smegmatis ATCC 9626 in the presence of 0.06% Tween had a latent period of 70 minutes, a rise period of 30 minutes, and a burst size of 88. The adsorption rate in nutrient broth was increased by adding any one of several divalent cations to the medium, whereas the addition of sodium or potassium decreased adsorption. Approximately 50% of the adsorbed phage produced abortive infection in the absence of Ca++; of all the cations tested, only calcium increased plaque-forming ability. Mycobacteriophage D29 propagated on M. smegmatis ATCC 607 had a latent period of 65 minutes, a rise period of 30 minutes, and burst size of 104. Calcium and magnesium, and, to a lesser degree, sodium and potassium, increased its adsorption rate in nutrient broth. However, only calcium increased both adsorption and productive infection. Incremental additions of Tween reduced phage adsorption, diminished burst size, and finally caused abortive infection.