Motile curved bacilli. Isolation and investigation.

Motile curved bacilli seen in vaginal secretions have been isolated on Columbia agar supplemented with 5% human blood and vitamin K. Growth occurred both anaerobically and in 5% oxygen, but not under more aerobic conditions. There were two distinct groups of these organisms, distinguishable by morphology, biochemical activity, antigenic pattern and susceptibility to metronidazole. All isolates were sensitive to a wide range of antimicrobial agents, with the exception of nalidixic acid and polymyxin. One group was resistant to metronidazole.