STUDIES ON BACTERIOPHAGES OF HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI

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Abstract
The host ranges of bacteriophages for group A types 1, 6, 12 and 25 and group C streptococci were determined. Results indicate that susceptibility to these phages is primarily a group specific phenomenon. Phage antibody studies revealed the group A phages to be antigenically related, but distinct from the group C phage. Purified C carbohydrate isolated from group C streptococcal cell walls inactivates the group C phage but not group A phages. This suggests that the carbohydrate may be the phage receptor of the cell wall. Group specific C carbohydrate can be identified chemically and serologically in the supernatant fluid of a centrifuged lysate. Electronmicrographs of the lysate sediment reveal fragmented cell wall structures which also contain C carbohydrate. The immediate lysis of groups A and C hemolytic streptococci and their isolated cell walls by an accessory heat-labile lytic factor is also described.