I have started searching for phages that infect S. pyogenes. My group and I have had a few failed attempts first we tried finding the lytic phages in soil it became apparent to me that was a very amatuer idea since strep isn't really a soil bacteria. Then we went on to try and find them in our mouths, we had plenty of S. pyogenes growth but no phages. I looked up some articles on strep phages and I discovered that the environment in the mouth is a horrible environment for lytic phages. I have now come to this forum hoping that I can find a virologist or someone that can help point me in the direction of finding these elusive phages.

 

I don't know too much about phages but if you can grow your bacteria easy enough allow them some exposure to the environment I think you will pick up phages.

The reason I say this was the fact that people who make cheese using bacteria also have problems with phages and these are in the process room and infect the culture.

Have you looked in the literature? There are a number of relevant reports (e.g. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0378111990901169)including as the previous poster suggested, some with relevance to the dairy industry.

Prophage Induction and Expression of Prophage-Encoded Virulence Factors in Group A Streptococcus Serotype M3 Strain MGAS315

If I understand the abstract, they're induced by hydrogen peroxide and mytomycin C.

 

How do you test for their presence? The paper lists six/seven virulence factors and/or their encoding sequences: SpeA, SpeB, SpeK, SSA, MF4, Sdn, Sla.

Edited April 28, 201510 yr by MonDie

Have you tried writing to Eliava institute in Tbilisi, Georgia? The microbiology institutr is the world's leading research center on phage therapy since 1930s

They have a lot of field and medical experience about phages, so try asking them. Here is the site of the institute:

www.eliava-institue.com

Sewers is one source. In DuckDuckGo search engine copy/paste this in and get the this titled paper which is a pdf direct download.

 

The Influence of Bacteriophage on Streptococcus pyogenes BY W. R. MAXTED ...probably second one down.

The best place to start would be the drains inside your own home... The toilets the sinks and the showers get in nice dark moist areas and you may just find what your looking for. If not staph you may find simpler versions of the same bacteria not the five teir your looking for but maybe doubles or singles.