Characteristics of phage AP50, an RNA phage containing phospholipids.

A bacteriophage specific for Bacillus anthracis was isolated and designated as AP50. The nucleic acid of phage AP50 is RNA and the virion contains five different phospholipids. Some physical and biological characteristics of the phage, including morphology, were examined. To the best of our knowledge, this RNA bacteriophage containing phospholipids is the first to be isolated for a Gram-positive host.