Interspecies Conversion of Clostridium botulinum Type C to Clostridium novyi Type A by Bacteriophage

Abstract
When Clostridium botulinum type C is cured of its prophage it simultaneously ceases to produce toxin. This nontoxigenic culture can then be converted to another toxigenic bacterial species, Clostridium novyi type A or to toxigenic Clostridium botulinum types C or D, by specific bacteriophages. The toxigenicity and type of toxin produced by these cultures depends upon the continued presence of these bacteriophages.