Studies on streptococcal bacteriophages. I. Burst size and intracellular growth of group A and group C streptococcal bacteriophages.

Evidence has been presented that the burst size in the Group A and Group C streptococcal phage-host systems are in general similar producing approximately 13 phage particles per infected coccus. The exception was the C1 phage which produced 10 times more virus particles than all the other phages tested. The eclipse period for the A25 phage-host system was found to extend for 34 min, while the C1 phage were found as early as 10 min after infection. Conclusive evidence has been presented indicating that mercuric ions at 2.5 x 10(-6)M concentration have the ability to halt intracellular phage production at any point during the infective cycle of A25 bacteriophages. This blocking action can then be quickly reversed with the addition of reduced glutathione with subsequent completion of the viral cycle.