Antibacteriophage action on the larvicidal activity of bacillus thuringiensis H-14 and bacillus sphaericus against culex pipiens

ABSTRACT

An organically polluted mosquito breeding water was tested for the presence of bacteriophages which could inhibit the larvicidal activity of B. thuringiensis H-14 and B sphaericus. More than one bacteriophage were isolated which could inhibit the tested bacteria. The sensitivity of the two bacterial species to 12 antibiotics was tested. Two of them, showed no antibacterial action, were selected and considered as antivirus agents in the bacteriophage assays; namely, Amoxycillin and Co-Trimoxazole. Results indicated their antivirus activity as the addition of the antibiotics to the isolated phages could permit normal bacterial growth as well as persistence of larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae