Serology and Transduction in Staphylococcal Phage

A triply lysogenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus was shown to carry a serological group B phage capable of transduction. Three typing phages (53, 80, 42D), either belonging to serological group B or having a close association with it, were also shown to have transducing ability. A rapid screening method was used to isolate two new transducing phages, both of which belonged to serological group B. Propagating strain 42B/47C was found to carry a transducing phage that was neutralized by both group B and group F antisera. Nine other phages belonging to serological groups other than group B did not have generalized transducing ability, nor did three group B typing phages that were atypical in their calcium requirement. It was postulated that transducing ability is associated with staphylococcal phages of serological group B and with related phages of group F.