BACILLI OF THE HOG-CHOLERA GROUP (BACILLUS CHOLERAE SUIS) IN MAN

C Tenbroeck1

  • 1Department of Animal Pathology of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, Princeton, N. J.

Insights

Paratyphoid C bacteria share characteristics with hog cholera bacilli. While capable of causing illness in pigs, these bacteria exhibit low virulence in humans, suggesting limited infection potential.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Veterinary Medicine

Background:

  • Paratyphoid C, identified by Hirschfeld, presented symptoms similar to paratyphoid fever.
  • Cultural characteristics of Paratyphoid C were atypical, complicating classification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To classify Paratyphoid C organisms based on their relationship to hog cholera bacilli.
  • To investigate the pathogenicity and cultural changes of Paratyphoid C in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Agglutination absorption tests were used to determine serological relationships.
  • Infection studies were conducted in pigs, followed by inoculation with hog cholera virus.
  • Cultural characterization and virulence assessment in rabbits were performed.

Main Results:

  • Agglutination absorption properties placed Paratyphoid C within the hog cholera bacillus group.
  • Pigs experimentally infected with Paratyphoid C developed a febrile illness and recovered.
  • Post-hog cholera virus injection, fed organisms showed altered cultural characters, resembling typical hog cholera bacilli but with reduced rabbit virulence.

Conclusions:

  • Paratyphoid C organisms are closely related to hog cholera bacilli.
  • Hog cholera bacilli appear to have limited ability to infect humans or lose distinguishing characteristics if they do.

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