[Taxonomic position of representatives of the species Vibrio cholerae].

The data contained in the works of some foreign authors who have reconsidered the taxonomic position of V. metschnikovii are analyzed. In contrast to the views expressed by Gamaleya whi believed this microorganism to be the modified cholera vibrio, the foreign authors identify it with the "Kommabacillus der Cholera nostras" described by Finkler and Prior (1884) and classify it with saprophytes widely spread in the environment. These points of view were refuted by the data resulting from the study of the strains of V. metschnikovii and the Finkler - Prior vibrio from Soviet collections. The variant from the Odessa Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology has been found to be most similar to the original characteristic given by Gamaleya and should be considered the lectotype of V. metschnikovii.