Vibro Metchnikovi, G-amaleia (1888). 



SPIRILLUM METCHNIKOFF. 



Origin.— From the intestinal contents, blood and organs of chick- 

 ens afflicted with a disease resembling chicken cholera. The disease 

 exists in Russia during the summer months and is due to this organ- 

 Ism. Also found in the Spree at Berlin (Vibrio Nordhafen). 



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. In the animal body it is very short, 

 almost a coccus. Typical spirals may form in old cultures. 



Motility.— Very actively motile. It possesses a long, slender 

 ■whip at one end. 



Sporulation. — Has not been observed. It is readily destroyed, 

 like the cholera vibrio, by heat, desiccation, acids, etc. 



Anilin dyes. — Stain very well, especially if warmed. Bi-polar 

 stain may be seen if the dye is weak. Gram's method is not applicable. 



Growth.— In the hanging-drop and in stained preparations this 

 organism can scarcely be distinguished from the cholera vibrio. The 

 cultural properties show some differences, 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. They are circular, coarsely granular, and yellowish. Rapid 

 liquefaction. 



Stab culture. — \xi gelatin tubes the growth resembles that of the cholera vibrio, which 

 is about twice as old. Eventually they are both alike. 



Streak culture. — On agar the growth resembles that of the cholera vibrio. It is fairly 

 -thick and yellowish. On potato in the incubator it forms a moderate yellowish brown 

 covering. 



Bouillon. — Abundant, diffuse growth and a whitish scum forms. It gives a more 

 pronounced indol reaction than does the comma bacillus. 



Milk. — Is slowly coagulated and acid products form. 



Oxygen requirements. — Same as cholera vibrio. 



Temperature. — Same as cholera vibrio. 



Behavior to gelatin. — Grows and liquefies more rapidly than 

 ■does the comma bacillus. 



Aerogenesis. — No gas is produced in glucose media. 



Immunity.— Is conferred on pigeons and guinea-pigs by injection 

 of sterilized cultures. Such animals are not immune to the comma 



bacillus. 



Pathogenesis.— It is very infectious for guinea-pigs, pigeons, and 

 chicken; rabbits are also susceptible. Guinea-pigs and pigeons, after 

 subcutaneous injection of minute amounts, die within 24 hours— dis- 

 tinction from the cholera vibrio, which is not as pathogenic and does 

 not induce a septicemia as in the above case. The vibrios are abun- 

 dant in the blood, in the internal organs, and in the serous fluid 

 which permeates the muscles. Old sterilized cultures are very 

 toxic and cause a rapid fall in temperature. 



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