Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
Microbiol Spectr. 2018 Oct;6(5). doi: 10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0026-2018.
Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect mycobacterial hosts. A large number of mycobacteriophages have been isolated and genomically characterized, providing insights into viral diversity and evolution, as well as fueling development of tools for mycobacterial genetics. Mycobacteriophages have intimate relationships with their hosts and provide insights into the genetics and physiology of the mycobacteria and tools for potential clinical applications such as drug development, diagnosis, vaccines, and potentially therapy.
分枝杆菌噬菌体是感染分枝杆菌宿主的病毒。已经分离和基因组表征了大量的分枝杆菌噬菌体,为病毒多样性和进化提供了深入的了解,并为分枝杆菌遗传学的工具开发提供了动力。分枝杆菌噬菌体与它们的宿主有着密切的关系,为分枝杆菌的遗传学和生理学提供了深入的了解,并为药物开发、诊断、疫苗以及潜在的治疗等潜在的临床应用提供了工具。