Inactivation of the Phages of Staphylococcus Aureus by Hydroxylamine

Summary

The inactivating action of hydroxylamine was studied with representatives of several serological groups of Staphylococcus aureus. It has been found that sensitivity of these phages depends to some extent on the serological group of the phage. For serological group A, however, distinct differences in sensitivity to hydroxylamine have been found. It has been verified that these differences within a given serological group depend on the phage group, i.e. on host bacteria; investigation of polyvalent phages was not made. No direct dependence of phage sensitivity on the base content (G—C) and sensitivity to hydroxylamine was found. For these phages no anomalous base was found. All of the above phages contain the bases G—C and A—T in their DNA molecules.