Characterization of Streptococcus bovis bacteriophages.

About 25 Streptococcus bovis bacteriophages were isolated from abattoir wastes, bovine rumen fluid, and lysogenic strains of S. bovis. Eight phages were selected and characterized by morphology, stability, rate of adsorption, single-step growth curve, serum neutralization, and antigenic relationship. Two distinct morphological phage types were found, one of which has not been previously reported for group D streptococci.