EFFECT OF ANTIPHAGE SERUM ON THE VIRULENCE OF CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE

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Abstract
A possible mechanism by which virulent dipheria bacilli may be converted to the avirulent form was investigated. The study demonstrates that diphtheria phage is antigenic, that antiphage bodies are able to neutralize the phage, and that a nonlysogenic, nontoxigenic culture results after successive passages of the virulent culture in broth containing phage antibodies. In addition, the data show that the normal animal, i.e., an animal without serum activity against the carried phage, will, following infection, produce antibodies to the phage carried by the diphtheria organism injected, and if the toxigenic effects are overcome so that an early death is prevented, conversion will take place. Thus, the results of the experiments suggest that antiphage bodies built up during the infection may be responsible for the appearance of avirulent diphtheria organisms during convalescence.