Isolation of a polyvalent bacteriophage for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Aerobacter aerogenes.

A lytic bacteriophage isolated from sewage was found to attack strains of Aerobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, but not members of the genera Salmonella, Proteus, and Serratia. The phage, designated phimp, contained deoxyribonucleic acid with a 50% guanine plus cytosine ratio and a molecular weight of 23.1 x 10(6) daltons.

Some characteristics of the resistance transfer factor (RTF) episome as determined by inactivation with tritium, P32, and gamma radiation.

The resistance transfer factor (RTF) episome was studied by measuring its inactivation by Co(60) gamma radiation, by incorporated P(32), and by tritium incorporated as tritium-labeled thymine. The D(37) for Co(60) irradiation was 7 to 9 x 10(4) rad. Growth of the bacteria harboring the RTF in BUdR (bromouracil deoxyriboside) increased the sensitivity of the RTF to the gamma radiation.