A Study of the Corynebacteria Associated with Diseases of Domestic Animals

Abstract

A comparative study of 47 cultures of diphtheroid bacteria isolated from suppurative conditions in the bovine, swine, ovine and equine species. Most of the cultures belonged to 4 distinct species of Corynebacterium. C. pyogenes was distinctive because it hemolized blood, coagulated and later digested milk and liquefied gelatine and blood serum. C. pseudotuberculosis grew in profuse dry colonies and did not alter the above substances. C. renalis produced an alkaline reaction in milk with subsequent digestion of casein and caused no change in the other media. C. equi was distinguished by its red-pigmented moist colonies, reduction of nitrates and inability to ferment carbohydrates. All 4 spp. were differentiated by fermentation of 15 carbohydrates. Agglutination tests showed that the 4 spp. were rather distinct with the exception of C. renalis and C. pseudotuberculosis where some cross agglutination occurred. Variants which were smooth and red-pigmented were recovered from parent cultures which were rough and cream colored.