Investigation by pyrolysis mass spectrometry, phage pattern and plasmid analysis of staphylococci that have reverted from 'L'-phase to bacterial phase.

No major differences have been found in series of Staphylococcus aureus strains which reverted from 'L'-phase, either by pyrolysis mass spectrometry or by phage-typing or sensitivity testing. In 'L'-phase they have been subcultured for a long time or transformed/reverted many times into/from 'L'-phase. Plasmids were lost during transformations/reversions, but there was some difference between the tetracycline-connected plasmids on the one hand and the erythromycin-connected ones on the other.