Lysogeny and Conversion in Mitis and Mitis-Like Corynebacterium diphtheriae

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Abstract
Fifty-six toxigenic mitis and mitis-like Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains isolated in the western part of the United States and Canada were examined for lysogeny and for the relationship of their phages to conversion to toxigenicity. Twenty-five strains (46%) were demonstrably lysogenic. Twenty-two of the phages from the toxigenic strains were able to convert a sensitive non-toxigenic strain to toxigenicity. Due to technical limitations three phages could not be tested in a similar manner. On the basis of serological relationships, cross-immunizing ability and host range all 22 converting phages proved to be very closely related. They were also related to B-and 7-phages previously studied in connexion with the phenomenon of conversion to toxigenicity by bacteriophage.