Isolation and Characterization of Escherichia coli bacteriophage {Omega} 8 specific for E. coli strains belonging to sero-group O 8

• Published in: Journal of general microbiology Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. 289 - 297
• Main Authors: JANN, K, SCHMIDT, G, WALLENFELS, BARBARA, OULBERT, ELISABETH FREUND-Molbert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Soc General Microbiol 01.08.1971
• ISSN: 0022-1287
• DOI: 10.1099/00221287-67-3-289

Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie, Freiburg, Germany Institut für Biologie der Universität, Elektronenmikroskopische Abteilung, Freiburg, Germany ABSTRACT SUMMARY: A bacteriophage which is specific for Escherichia coli O8 strains was isolated from Freiburg sewage. It is designated as OM 8. Inhibition studies suggested that the O8 specific lipopolysaccharide (isolated from E. coli O8) may be the phage receptor or part of it. Bacteriophage OM 8 also causes clearing on lawns of E. coli O93 if added at high multiplicity but it does not multiply in this strain. Escherichia coli strains O8 and O93 cross-react serologically and their (O antigenic) lipopolysaccharides have similar structures. Electron microscopy revealed the following features of OM 8: icosahedric head, 48 to 50 nm. in diameter; base plate consisting of 6 units, total diameter 14 nm.; 6 spikes, 12·0 to 14·5 nm. long and 3·5 to 4·0 nm. thick; 6 fibres, 168 nm. long, bent at 56 nm., 1·5 nm. thick. The propagation characteristics of OM 8 are: burst size, 130; latent period, 19 min.; eclipse period, 13 min.