154 



VIBRO METCHNIKOVI. Gamaleia (188S.) 



SPIRILLUM OP METCHNIKOFF. 



Origin. From the intestinal contents, blood and 

 organs of chickens afflicted with a disease resembling 

 chicken cholera. The disease exists in Russia during the 

 summer months and is due to this organism. 



Form. Occurs as a bent rod which bears a marked 

 resemblance to the vibrio of Asiatic cholera, although it 

 is somewhat shorter and thicker and more decidedly bent. 

 Has a marked tendency to form spirals. In the animal 

 body it is very short. 



Motility. Actively motile. Possesses a long, slen- 

 der wnip at one end. 



Sporulation. Has not been positively shown to 

 have spores. Is readily destroyed like the cholera vibrio 

 by heat, desiccation, acids, etc. 



Anilin Dyes. Stains fairly well bi-polar stain; 

 not by Gram's method. 



Growth. In the hanging-drop and in stained prepa- 

 rations this organism can scarcely be distinguished from 

 the cholera vibrio. The cultural properties show some 

 diiferences, and especially is this seen in the pathogenic 

 action on animals. The rapidity of growth is greater 

 than that of the cholera vibrio and less than that of the 

 Finkler- Prior vibrio. 



Plates. The colonies on gelatin plates may resemble those of the cholera 

 vibrio and also those of the Finkler-Prior. As a rule it grows and liquefies 

 more rapidly than the cholera vibrio. 



Stich Cultures. In gelatin tubes the growth resembles exactly that of 

 the cholera vibrio, which is about twice as old. 



Streak Cultures. On agar the growth resembles that of the cholera 

 vibrio. On potatoes in the incubator it develops moderately as a yellowish 

 brown covering. 



Bouillon. Abundant growth in the incubator. Gives the indol reaction 

 almost as well as the comma bacillus. 



Oxygen requirements. Same as cholera vibrio. 



Temperature. Same as cholera vibrio. 



Behavior to Gelatin. Grows and liquefies more 

 rapidly. 



Immunity. Is conferred on pigeons and guinea-pigs 

 by injection of sterilized cultures. 



Pathogenesis. Is very infectious for guinea-pigs, 

 pigeons, and chickens; rabbits are also susceptible. Pigeons 

 die after subcutaneous injection of minute amounts with- 

 in 2-i hours. The vibrios are abundant in the blood and 

 internal organs. Toxicity of old sterilized cultures. Rapid 

 fall in temperature. 



