Abstract

Introduction: The long-term survival of Bacillus anthracis in environmental samples is primarily due to the ability to form endospores which enable it to resist environmental insults such as infection by bacteriophages. The relationship between B. anthracis and its phages in the environment is poorly understood but it is believed that these phages play a key role in regulating the population density of B. anthracis. and in mediating the transfer of genetic material.

Methods: A total of 41 samples from 20 separate foci around the Kars region of Turkey were simultaneously analysed to isolate both B. anthracis and its phages. Spores of B. anthracis were isolated according to protocols described in the OIE Terrestrial Manual 2012. Phages were isolated from soil samples by culture using B. anthracis Sterne in logarithmic growth as a host. To determine if lysogenic phages against B. anthracis were also present in soil samples mitomycin C was used as an inducer and B.anthracis Sterne used as a host strain.

Results: Fourteen samples from 9 different foci were found to be positive for B. anthracis spores, while 18 samples from 12 foci were positive for phages which were lytic for B. anthracis. Five samples from 4 loci were positive for both B. anthracis spores and phages.

Conclusions: Using a relatively simple method we have successfully isolated bacteriophages with lytic activity against B.anthracis from animal burial sites contaminated with the spore form of the pathogen. Studies are in progress to characterise these bacteriophages and to determine there role in population regulation.