[Bioenzymatic and lysotypic study of 200 strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus]

Two hundred strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolated between 1971 and 1978 at the Bichat Hospital were studied by means of a biochemical and enzymatic technique thanks to 150 tests per strain. Most strains (about 60%) were Acinetobacter calcoaceticus variety anitratus which is more frequently isolated than var. lwoffi . Three bioenzymatic groups have been statistically defined. This classification corresponds to the main lines of previous descriptions by Henriksen (1960) and those indicated in the Bergey's Manual (1974). The results of the study do not show any correlation between the clinical origin of the strains, their bioenzymatic profile and their phage-type which was determined for 60 strains. Otherwise, it was to be noted that glucose is not a basic character of this classification which is based on an average profile of strains; some tests are particularly important for the differentiation of species (amino-acids); some characteristics have been observed and have to be related to the enzymatic properties of the strains and their role in the catabolism of some carbohydrates. The results of the study might constitute a new approach of epidemiological criteria to be determined for Acinetobacter strains ( Bergogne -Bér ezin and al., 1970, 1980, Gardner and al., 1970; Glew and al., 1977).