Cytophaga columnaris (Davis) in Pure Culture: A Myxobacterium Pathogenic to Fish

Abstract

Bacillus columnaris Davis, 1922 a dermal parasite of fresh-water fishes, has been isolated and grown successfully in peptone media and in hy-drolyzed casein added to a mineral base. Its morph. characteristics, aflagellar type of creeping motility, and absence of microcysts in the life cycle place this organism in the order Myxobacteriales, family Cytophagaceae. Reasons for making the new combination Cytophaga columnaris (Bacillus c. Davis) are presented. This sp. differs from other members of the genus [Bacillus] in not attacking cellulose to any extent, in its parasitic nature, and in other minor respects.