Further Studies on One Anaerogenic Paracolon Organism, Type 29911

Abstract

109 cultures of an anaerogenic paracolon, type 29911, were studied. These strains produced acid or acid and a small bubble of gas rapidly in glucose; adonitol was fermented rapidly, producing acid only. Sucrose, maltose and glycerol were slowly made acid in 5 to 60 days. Mannitol, galactose, cellobiose, trehalose, inulin, sorbitol and inositol rarely were fermented. Lactose, salicin, arabi-nose, xylose, rhamnose, raffinose and dulcitol were negative. Indole and H2S were formed but not acetylmethylcarbinol. Growth on Na citrate occurred more rapidly at room temp. and may be negative at 37[degree]C. Trimethylamine oxide was reduced. The majority of the strains gave no urease production but an occasional strain was weakly positive and an exceptional strain strongly positive in urea medium. Almost all the cultures were motile. Three colonial variants are described: smooth, mucoid and rough-mucoid. These cultures are related to Proteus in their biochemical reactions and swarming ability. They occasionally have a major antigen in common with Proteus but, in general, were serologi-cally heterogeneous. At present these cultures can be classified only as transitional forms between the Proteus and Shigella groups. There is evidence that some strains were etiological agents in gastroenteritis.