[Utilization of organic compounds by "Klebsiella" (author's transl)]

A total of 209 Klebsiella strains were investigated for their ability to grow on minimal mineral media supplemented by different organic compounds. The "respiratory" strains of Klebsiella described by Cowan as K. pneumoniae (sensu stricto), K. edwardsii and K. atlantae, assimilate substrates at a low rate. They are in this respect closely related to the dystrophic species K. ozaenae and K. rhinoscleromatis, although they taxonomically fit into the more ubiquitous species K. pneumoniae. These findings might result in a reconsideration of the taxonomic status of these strains.