Peroxide inducible phage reactivation in Bacteroides fragilis

Reactivation of UV-irradiated phage b-1 was induced by H2O2 and UV in Bacteroides fragilis. The characteristics of H2O2 and UV induced phage reactivation differ from a previously reported oxygen induced reactivation system. The survival of B. fragilis cells after UV irradiation was also increased by pretreatment with H2O2. DNA synthesis was not inhibited in the host cells exposed to H2O2 concentrations which induced phage reactivation. The pattern of DNA degradation and synthesis after UV irradiation with and without H2O2 differed from the effect of O2 on DNA synthesis in irradiated B. fragilis cells.