Streptococcal L forms and phage. A clinical-epidemiologic study

Yale J Biol Med. 1974;47(2):86-92.

Abstract

This study showed that streptococcal L forms could not be isolated from children who were either carriers of group A streptococci or had disease due to this pathogen. It was possible to induce L colony formation in 15 strains of group A. Streptococcal bacteriophages were demonstrated in 20% of group A streptococci isolated from school children who were carriers, but did not have clinical evidence of streptococcal disease, and from 44.9% of children whose physicians considered they had acute streptococcal upper respiratory infections. Lysogeny (bacteriophage) was demonstrated more frequently during 1969-70 when carrier rates were high and from children who had manifest streptococcal disease, suggesting a possible positive relationship between lysogeny, high carrier rates, and infection in the children studied. Lysogeny and erythrogenic toxin production by group A streptococci occurred simultaneously in approximately half of the strains of group A streptococci tested, suggesting that lysogeny is not a sine qua non for erythrogenic toxin production.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophages / isolation & purification*
  • Carrier State / microbiology*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • L Forms / isolation & purification*
  • Lysogeny
  • Pharynx / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus / isolation & purification*
  • Toxins, Biological / analysis

Substances

  • Toxins, Biological