THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE ANTHRAX BACILLUS TO KINDRID SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE SOIL,
Abstract
The study distinguishes six independent species of bacilli. The method rests principally on observation of the serological behavior of the various strains. By means of the simple and easily applied serological tests used the membership of a given strain in a certain species can be determined beyond doubt within 24 hours if reliable type sera are available. The sole exception is Bac. cylindrosporus, for which the serological test does not suffice to determine the species, but instead other characteristics have to be taken into account as well. No intermediate strains could be found by the serological tests; it could always be determined to which serological group the strain in question belonged, so that the various species could be well differentiated. It was found that several old strains described under different names belonged to one species. On the other hand, study of the morphological and biological characteristics is of decisive importance in distinguishing Bac. anthracis from Bac. cylindrosporus, as these two species exhibit a common polysaccharide antigen. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0836108
Entities
People
- L. Pesti
- R. Manninger
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories