RELATIONSHIPS OF THE ENCAPSULATED BACILLI WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BACT. AEROGENES

Abstract

Organisms received from various sources labelled as Friedlander bacilli can not be distinguished from Bact. aerogenes and the other members of the encapsulated group, by action on milk or by fermentative characters. Five cultures of Bact. aerogenes isolated from soil, water and milk have been found culturally, biochemically and serologically identical with type B Friedlander bacillus, as described by Julianelle. Two cultures of Bact. aerogenes were found serologically identical with a strain of the granuloma bacillus. Bact. aerogenes is so closely related to the other encapsulated forms that they should be classified under the same genus. No constant differences have been observed, which could be used to separate the organisms into 2 or more species.