'Streptococcus bombycis', its Taxonomy and Pathogenicity for Silkworm Caterpillars

Abstract

It was found that the streptococci known as Streptococcus bombycis have affinities with Streptococcus faecalis and S. faecium, S. bombycis is not a well-defined species and its entity is doubtful; it is proposed, therefore, that the name S. bombycis and its synonyms, which are given, be rejected. These streptococci are pathogenic for the silkworm, causing a disease of the gut. The mechanism of the pathogenicity is discussed.