title: Bacteriophages of spirochetes.
abstract: Historically, a number of bacteriophage-like particles have been observed in association with members of the bacterial order Spirochetales, the spirochetes. In the last decade, several spirochete bacteriophages have been isolated and characterized at the molecular level. We have recently characterized a bacteriophage of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, which we have designated phiBB-1. Here we review the history of the association between the spirochetes and their bacteriophages, with a particular emphasis on phiBB-1 and its prophage, the 32-kb circular plasmid family of B. burgdorferi.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula 59812, USA.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Eggers
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casjens
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Garon
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Damman
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Samuels
mesh_terms: D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000382:microbiology; D013144:Spirochaetales / Q000821:virology*