[A new zoonosis--investigation of Gardnerella vaginalis disease of fox. II. Identification of pathogenic bacteria].

16 strains isolated from aborted foetus and vaginal exeretions of foxes were used for examination of cell morphology including fine structure of the cell wall and septa, test for homolysis, biochemical reactions and analysis of G+C content of the bacterial DNA. The cells are pleomorphic bacilli and coccobacilli, Gram stain reaction appear positive to variable, catalse and oxidase-negative, with a fermentative type of glucose metabolism, giving acetic and lactic acid as the major end products of fermentation. It's differentiated from the human strains of G. vaginalis by its less fastidious in growth requirements and being facultatively anaerobic to aerobic. We propose the name: a new subspecies--Gardnerella vaginalis subsp. fox, the type strain is U80.