Sphaerophorus necrophorus. A study of 23 strains.

Twenty-three strains of Sphaerophorus necrophorus, isolated from animal pathological processes, were characterized. The two biotypes of (1963) were recognized, differing in colony morphology, cell morphology, degree of hemolysis, growth modus in broth, and hemagglutination. The following characters were shared by all strains: Gram-negative, anaerobic, nonsporeforming, immotile rods, producing acid from fructose, glucose, mannose, maltose, and (variably) from galactose, but not from arabinose, xylose, lactose, saccharose, cellobiose, melezitose, adonitole, sorbitole, mannitole, and salicine. Terminal pH in glucose medium was 5.77 ± 0.17. Growth was not inhibited by 0.008 % brilliant green, but was partially inhibited by 10 % ox bile. Indole was produced. Nitrate was not reduced. A lecitinase was present. Proteolytic properties were present. Threonine was deaminated. The fatty acids: acetic, propionic, and butyric acid were produced in medium both with and without glucose.