Host-range of Proteus morganii Bacteriophages

Abstract

COLICINE H, which kills many Escherichia, Shigella, Salmonella and a few Proteus hauseri¹ also attacks many strains of P. morganii². The relationship between P. morganii and the other genera mentioned has recently been strengthened by the finding³ that the guanidine + cytosine content of their deoxyribonucleic acids are very similar and differ from P. hauseri, P. rettgeri and Providence strains. On the other hand, it has been shown^4,5 that although P. morganii strains are not susceptible to P. rettgeri phages, many P. morganii organisms are attacked by P. hauseri and Providence phages. There is also a well-known antigenic relationship between Proteus morganii and P. hauseri. Work on P. morganii phages has been confined to temperate varieties, and host-range determinations were limited to the Proteus group of organisms^2,6. The phages were found to be species specific. In view of the uncertainty⁷ about the taxonomic position of Proteus morganii, it was decided to investigate the action of P. morganii phages derived from both lysogenic strains and sewage on members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.