A phage virion that lacks nucleic acid, which can be removed, for example, via osmotic shock.
So-modified phages, described as ghosts, can retain their adsorption competence. In at least some cases, however, such adsorption can result in traumatization of the so-adsorbed bacteria.
T4 phage infections display an "immunity" to the disruptive consequences of secondary adsorption by phage T4 ghosts. For classical references on phage ghosts and especially immunity to them, see Abedon (1994).
This is the definition from Adams (1959), p. 440: "A phage particle that appears empty in the electron microscope. In several instances ghosts are known to lack nucleic acid."
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