The Adaptation of a Staphylococcus Bacteriophage to an Artificially Produced Anti-Bacteriophagic Serum

Abstract Several reports dealing with the influence of body fluids on staphylococcus bacteriophage have shown that human serum and pus markedly interfere with the in vitro lysis of staphylococci by bacteriophage (Gratia and Mutsaars, 1931; Applebaum and MacNeal, 1932; Colvin, 1933; Burky, 1933). It has been our experience that, while an inhibition of staphylococcus bacteriophage may be demonstrable, there are considerable differences in the action of several races of staphylococcus phages in the presence of the same concentrations of serum. It appears that this difference, the ability of a staphylococcus bacteriophage either to bring about lysis or to be rendered impotent in serum, is dependent upon the “quality” of the bacteriophage. With regard to this statement the observations of Bail (1923), Asheshov (1924); Morrison (1932); Pasricha (1932); Schlesinger (1932); and Burnet (1933) concerning the complex composition of bacteriophages, as they are employed in the laboratory, are extremely important. The results of the work of these investigators have shown that the “pure line types” of phages which make up the principle called bacteriophage, vary considerably not only with respect to morphology and particle size, but also in their ability to withstand heat and their speed of regeneration. Investigative work dealing with the action of bacteriophage will stand better chance of repetition when “pure line” phages are employed and not just “a phage” which may consist of one or several types.