Transduction in Klebsiella

Abstract

PHAGE-MEDIATED transduction has been reported in strains of four genera of Enterobacteriaceae: Salmonella, Escherichia, Shigella, and Proteus¹. Clarke² described possible transduction of a single Klebsiella pneumoniae auxotroph to prototrophy, but this has not been confirmed. A search of the literature failed to reveal any other report of transduction involving a member of the genus Klebsiella. Indeed, there does not seem to be any previous report of a system permitting transfer of chromosomal genetic determinants between strains of Klebsiella. This is rather surprising, for genetic studies might be expected to extend greatly the considerable amount of information accumulated as a result of biochemical studies with organisms of the Klebsiella group (often still referred to as Aerobacter aerogenes despite the taxonomic confusion which this name perpetuates³). Examples of studies which might well be enhanced by the availability of a system of genetic analysis are those on exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by Klebsiella strains (unpublished work of I. W. S. and J. F. W.); nitrate assimilation⁴; polyphosphate accumulation and degradation⁵; and many others. This communication describes the isolation of a phage capable of effecting transduction in certain strains of Klebsiella aerogenes.