Susceptibility to mitomycin C and lecithinase activities of Clostridium oedematiens (C. novyi) type B and D.

In tests with broth-culture products of Clostridium oedematiens, none of 15 type-B strains showed beta-toxin lecithinase activities exceeding 20 egg-units per ml, whereas 12 of 13 type-D strains consistently produced much greater amounts of the lecithinase. The types also differed in their susceptibility to lysis by mitomycin C (MC). Of 13 type-D strains tested, 12 were sensitive to MC at a concentration of 1 or 2 mug per ml, whilst 14 of 15 type-B strains were insensitive. Phage-like particles were observed in the MC-lysates of some type-D strains. No type-specific differences in the production of indole or the fermentation of maltose were demonstrated.