7 
; 
Dr. Clewell said the reference citing exchange between IL_ subtilis and S. 
pneumoniae offered by Drs. Novick and Polak is an exanple of the type of 
exchange described under criterion 4 (Attachment III). 
Dr. Friedman then called the attention of the working group to the group of 
organisms for vhich Drs. Novick and Polak had offered references indicating 
that Staphylococcus camosus could donate DNA to intermedius , S. epidermidis , 
S. capitis , S. caseolyticus , S. wameri , S . haemolyticus , and xylosus 
"(Attachment II). 
Dr. Pattee said there is some evidence in the literature of bacteriophage 
transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between Staphylococcus aureus and S. 
epidermidis . Dr. Lovett said it is very common for bacteriophages of gram- 
positive bacteria to grow on one host and pick-up genes. The bacteriophage 
will not plaque on any other host, but it can transfer its genes. 
The working group agreed the reference cited by Drs. Novick and Polak did not 
demonstrate DNA transfer; rather it demonstrated the ability of the bacteriophage 
phiSK311 to infect a number of organisms. The working group agreed sufficient 
information to determine whether genetic exchange occurs in this group of 
organisms was not available. 
Dr. Friedman asked the working group to next consider the data cited by 
Drs. Novick and Polak for £L_ pneumoniae and EL_ subtilis (Attachment II). 
The working group agreed the citation offered by Drs. Novick and Polak indicate 
this type of transfer would be described under criterion 4 (Attachment III). 
The working group said the evidence indicating exchange between £L_ faecalis 
and Bj_ thur ingiens is (Attachment II) would also be the type of exchange 
described under criterion 4 (Attachment III). 
Dr. Friedman called the attention of the working group to Dr. Novick ' s contention 
that £L_ faecalis can donate DNA to SL_ pyogenes , S. agalactiae , S. sanguis , 
S. salivarius , S. cremoris , Lactobacillus casei , Staphylococci , B. subtilis 
and Group F Streptococci (Attachment II). 
Dr. Macrina said Streptococcus lactis should be added to Dr. Novick ' s list for 
ccmpletenes s ; chranoscmal exchange between lactis and the other listed organ- 
isms has not yet been demonstrated; however, plasmid exchange can be shown to 
occur. 
Dr. Clewell said some of the organisms in this grouping are already included 
cxi Sublist F of Appendix B; chranoscmal gene exchange has been demonstrated 
between Streptococcus sanguis , S. pneumoniae , S. faecalis , S. pyogenes , and S. 
mu tans . Dr. Clewell said at this time there is no evidence of chranoscmal gene 
exchange in S. agalactiae . Group F Streptococcus , S. salivarius , S . cremoris , 
and Lactobacillus casei although plasmid exchange of the type described in 
criterion 4 has been demonstrated. 
[ 538 ] 
