Fate of Bacteriophage Particles Introduced into Mice by Various Routes. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The fate of Bacillus megatherium bacteriophage intraperitoneally inoculated into mice has been investigated. Active bacteriophage particles were recovered from spleen and liver at a time when none were recovered from blood, lung, kidney, and brain. The relationship of this occurrence to possible phagocytosis of bacteriophage particles is discussed. Introduction of bacteriophage suspensions of high titer into the gastro-intestinal tract by feeding and gastric lavages led to an irregular but consistent recovery of active phage particles from the blood circulation. Conversely, phage particles inoculated intraperitoneally were recovered in samples of urine and feces.