Suggested Grouping of Slow Lactose Fermenting Coliform Organisms

Abstract

Based on a study of more than 10,000 coliform organisms isolated from varied sources, a tentative separation into 4 groups is suggested: (I) micro-aerogenic, those producing gas from lactose slowly or in small amounts at either 37[degree] or 20[degree] C; (II) pseudomicro-aerogenic, with characteristics similar to I at 37[degree] C but with normal lactose fermentation at 20[degree] C; (III) papillae-forming, with dissociation similar to B. coli mutabile; and (IV) anaerogenic, producing acid but no gas from lactose.