GLANDERS IOI 



affected nerves, at autopsy, often fail to show bacilli. For nerve-lep- 

 rosy the examination of nasal mucus is of prime importance. 



The X-ray has been utilized in the recognition of the very early, trophic changes in 

 bone, showing the commencing absorption of phalanges. 



NONACID-FAST BRANCHING BACILLI 



Bacillus Mallei (Loffler and Shutz, 1882). This is the cause of a 

 rather common disease of horses. When affecting the superficial 

 lymphatic glands, it is termed "farcy;" when producing ulceration of 

 nasal mucous membrane, the term "glanders" is used. 



In man there are 2 types of glanders chronic and acute. In the 

 chronic form an abrasion becomes infected from contact with glanders 

 material and an intractable foul discharging ulceration results. This 

 may persist for months with lymphatic involvement or may become 

 acute. The acute form may also develop from the start and the cases 

 are usually diagnosed as pyaemia. There is great prostration with 

 marked pains of the extremities. Death invariably results in acute 

 glanders. The bacillus is a narrow, slightly curved rod, about 3X0.3^1. 

 It is nonmotile and Gram-negative. It at times presents a beaded ap- 

 pearance. In subculture on agar or blood-serum the growth is some- 

 what like typhoid but more translucent. In original cultures from pus 

 or tissues the colonies may not show themselves for forty-eight hours. 



As the organism does not tend to invade the blood stream, blood 

 cultures are apt to be negative. The glanders bacillus grows best on 

 an acid glycerine agar (+2). 



The characterisitc culture is that on potato. Grown at 37C., we 

 have a light brown or yellowish honey-like or mucilaginous growth, 

 which by the end of a week spreads out and takes a cuprous oxide like 

 reddish tint with greenish borders. The potato assumes a dirty brown 

 color. This and the inoculation of a guinea-pig are the chief diagnostic 

 measures. If the material is injected intraperitoneally into a male 

 guinea-pig, marked swelling of the testicles is noted within forty-eight 

 hours, at the earliest, to seven to ten days. Cultures should be made 

 from this swollen testicle as other organisms than glanders may bring 

 it about. 



Only the B. pyrocyaneus and cholera vibrios give a similar coloration of potato 

 These organisms, however, are easily differentiated. The glanders bacillus is the 

 most dangerous of laboratory cultures and should be handled with extreme care. 



