The use of bacteriophages for differentiating plasmids ofPseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

SUMMARYSix bacteriophages have been used in the classification of 19 plasmids (antibiotic resistance-mediating R factors and FP sex factors which promote host chromosome transfer) ofP. aeruginosaisolated in different geographical regions. On the basis of phage-plating responses on isogenic strains of bacteria differing only in the plasmids carried, five groups of plasmids were distinguishable. In general the groups could be correlated with their geographical origin although differences between plasmids from the same region were found. The unique phage-plating responses were also useful in establishing the possible identity of plasmids isolated from the same original strain and given different designations by independent investigators. The classification of the plasmids derived here on the basis of phage-plating responses could be correlated with classifications based upon other phenotypic characteristics described elsewhere. The nature of inhibition of plating of phages B39 and G101 by R18–1 and R18–3 respectively was shown to be due to interference with some aspect of intra-cellular phage replication rather than to plasmid-mediated restriction.