Phage-induced changes in Vibrio cholerae: serotype and biotype conversions

Abstract

Phage infection of Vibrio cholerae resulted in antigenic changes. A strain of biotype cholerae serotype Ogawa was converted into serotype Hikojima and gained the ability to synthesize antigenic factor C. Some phage-converted strains remained stable after subculture and were immune to superinfection with the same phage. The stable converted strains were lysogenic and released phage having a host range similar to the phage of the donor strain. Reinfection of unstable converted strains which had "lost" antigen C yielded types able to again synthesize this antigen. The polymyxin resistance character was expressed in the biotype cholerae strain after infection with some phage preparations. These polymyxin-resistant strains possessed three main characteristics of El Tor vibrios. The phage-induced changes described provide V. cholerae with the potential for innumerable genetic combinations.

Role of temperate phage in determining lytic phage sensitivity and serotype of Vibrio cholerae

“…The relative absence of temperate phage in only type 1 strains of the El Tor vibrio was noticed early on (3). Despite sustained interest in cholera phages, type conversion by temperate phages has not so far been reported except for an incomplete change in serotype from Ogawa to Hikojima (16). We could not demonstrate serological conversion by any of the phages investigated here.…”

“…Recently, serotype conversion induced by a temperate phage has been reported (16). We therefore investigated the correlation between serology, phage type, and lysogeny in V. cholerae.…”

Isolation of Vibrio cholerae from aquatic birds in Colorado and Utah

“…Another possibility is that the non-O1 V. cholerae may undergo antigenic changes and convert to an 01 serovar while in the intestines of a bird. There are reports of non-O1 V. cholerae gaining the ability to agglutinate in 0 group 1 antiserum and 01 strains undergoing antigenic changes affecting their agglutination reactions in 0 group 1 antiserums (12,24,35). Seroconversions in V. cholerae warrant further investigation.…”

Distinguishing between the extracellular DNases of Vibrio cholerae and development of a transformation system

“…V. cholerae strain V62 (El Tor, Ogawa) is a rifampicin-resistant (RIf") derivative of 1621 (Ogg et at.. 1978}, I/, cholerae strain 017 (El Tor, Ogawa) was from laboratory stocks. £.…”