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A sensitive method for isolating Fusobacterium necrophorum from faeces

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

G. R. Smith ,
S. A. Barton  and
L. M. Wallace
G. R. Smith
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
S. A. Barton
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
L. M. Wallace
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
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The isolation of Fusobacterium necrophorum present in small numbers in heavily contaminated material such as faeces or soil is hampered by the lack of an efficient selective medium and by the high minimum infective dose of the organism. A sensitive method for the detection and isolation of faecal strains of F. necrophorum type A was based on the subcutaneous injection of faeces, suspended (5% w/v) in broth culture of Actinomyces (Corynebacterium) pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus to increase fusobacterial infectivity, into mice pretreated with clostridial antitoxins. When necrobacillosis developed F. necrophorum was identified microscopically in tissue from the advancing edge of the lesion and isolated on a partly selective medium.

The enhancement of fusobacterial infectivity produced by A. pyogenes and by S. aureus was high, but the latter was slightly the more efficient, enabling as few as 80 F. necrophorum organisms/g of faeces to be detected.

Use of the method showed that 3 of 16 wallabies had F. necrophorum in their faeces at the time of examination. Numerous epidemiological applications are suggested.

Type
Special Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 106 , Issue 2 , April 1991 , pp. 311 - 317
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

References

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