Further studies on phage reaction with spheroplasts and l-forms of proteus mirabilis

Summary

• 1. From all possible combinations of 9 Proteus mirabilis strains, a lysogenic phage was isolated. Strain 1578 was adopted as host bacterium, on which the virus formed small, dense plaques. A clear-plaque mutant was isolated and propagated on the same bacterial strain.

• 2. Both phage types were tested for adsorption and propagation in spheroplast and l-form suspensions.

• 3. The dense-plaque type did not show a reaction with any of the forms produced under the influence of penicillin.

• 4. The clear-plaque mutant was adsorbed to and multiplied in spheroplasts as hosts.

• 5. l-form suspensions reduced the phage titer but did not propagate the viruses.