ISOLATION OF DERMATOPHILUS-CONGOLENSIS PHAGE FROM THE LUMPY WOOL OF SHEEP IN WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

A lytic phage with species-specific activity was isolated from wool sa mples infected with the actinomycete Dermatophilus congolensis, the ag ent of 'lumpy wool', collected from properties in Western Australia. T he physiochemical properties, plaque morphology, host range and partic le morphology of the phage isolated were characterized. The isolated p hage reduced the cell numbers of Dermatophilus congolensis on infected wool samples in vitro. It may therefore have potential as a biocontro l agent of dermatophilosis.