Bacteriophage typing of Salmonella. I. Isolation and host range study of bacteriophages.

A series of bacteriophages, lytic for bacteria belonging to the genera Escherichia and Salmonella, were isolated. The phages were isolated from fecal samples, intestinal contents of turkey poults, and carrier cultures of S. typhimurium, S. typhimurium var copenhagen, S. heidelberg, and E. coli. The feasibility of using different habitats as sources of Salmonella phages was evaluated. The carrier cultures were the most promising source for phages active on the serotypes for which the phages were sought. A host range study of the isolated phages was made. Eight phages were selected to develop a phage typing scheme for S. typhimurium, S. typhimurium var copenhagen, and S. heidelberg.