PHAGE TYPING OF BACILLUS-SUBTILIS AND BACILLUS-THURINGIENSIS

Phage typing schemes for Bacillus subtilis and B. thuringiensis were c onstructed using 98 phages and 743 bacterial strains. Most phages were host-species-specific. Phages were classified by electron microscopy. The B. subtilis scheme includes 10 phages and 29 phage types, The B. thuringiensis scheme comprises 8 phages and 25 phage types and can be applied to B. cereus. There is no correlation between H antigen seroty pes and phagovars in B. thuringiensis. Characteristics of typing phage s are described for identity control.