CHAPTER XXXIII 



BACILLUS NECROPHORUS GROUP 



THIS group is at present represented by a single species, ac- 

 cording to most investigators. There is a real question as to the 

 proper placing of this form, whether among the true bacteria or 

 in the group of Actinomyces. As will be observed from the dis- 

 cussion of the morphology, the organism resembles the latter 

 rather more than true bacilli. There has, however, been no satis- 

 factory demonstration of branching, although some of the forms 

 seen in culture-media suggest that such may occur. 



Bacillus necrophorus 



Synonyms. Bacillus diphtheria vitulorum; B. filiformis; Strep- 

 tothrix cuniculi; Actinomyces cuniculi; B. necroseos; Streptothrix 

 necrophora. 



Disease Produced. A large number of diphtheritic and ne- 

 crotic pathologic conditions in animals. 



Loffler, in 1894, described this organism from calf diphtheria. 

 Later, Schiitz found it associated with the intestinal ulcerations 

 of hog-cholera. It is now known to produce disease in birds and 

 in both domestic and wild animals. 



Distribution. Bang succeeded in demonstrating the presence 

 of this organism in the feces of normal hogs, but not in the in- 

 testinal contents of the cow. It is probably rather widely dis- 

 tributed in some localities. The infection has been described 

 from various sections of Europe and America. 



Morphology and Staining. The organism is a long, slender rod, 

 usually bent more or less, although coccus-like forms and fila- 

 ments may be observed. It is about 0.7 to 1.5 ^ in diameter. 

 In the tissues and colonies the filaments are matted together, 

 but definite branching has not been satisfactorily demonstrated. 

 The stained rods are usually beaded. Involution forms, as long 



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