Numerical analysis of electrophoretic protein patterns of Streptobacillus moniliformis strains from human, murine and avian infections.

A total of 31 cultures representing 22 different strains of Streptobacillus moniliformis has been characterised by unidimensional SDS-PAGE of cell proteins. The isolates were from sporadic and outbreak cases of human infection in the USA, UK and France, as well as mouse, turkey and rat isolates from various countries. The protein patterns, which contained 40-50 discrete bands, were highly reproducible and were used as the basis for a numerical analysis. Three clusters were obtained at the 86% similarity (S) level and these were further divided to give a total of seven clusters at the 90% S level. S. moniliformis strains, irrespective of the original host or geographical location of isolation, had a characteristic protein profile that enabled them to be easily distinguished from allied unclassifiable organisms. The analysis showed that Haverhill fever strains can be clearly distinguished from rat-bite fever strains. Protein-band differences amongst the latter strains corresponded with different geographical locations. We conclude that high resolution PAGE combined with computerised analysis of protein profiles provides the basis for typing clinical isolates of S. moniliformis. Seven PAGE types were identified and reference strains for each have been designated as a basis for future studies.

Characterisation and antibiotic susceptibilities of Streptobacillus moniliformis.

The characteristics of seven strains of Streptobacillus moniliformis, including four isolates from a recent outbreak of Haverhill fever, are reported. Acid production from carbohydrates was uniform apart from variable reactions with mannose and salicin. Enzymatic reactions determined by the API ZYM system and fatty-acid profiles were generally consistent and may be of value in the rapid identification of S. moniliformis. Penicillin was the most active of the antibiotics tested in vitro, which supports its use as the drug of choice in the treatment of Haverhill fever.

Polyacrylamide gel identification of bacterial L-forms and Mycoplasma species of human origin.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic patterns of acidified phenol extracts prepared from whole cells can be used for the identification of bacterial L-forms and Mycoplasma species of human origin. Ten human Mycoplasma serotypes and eight L-forms belonging to five different genera were studied. The gel patterns were sufficiently distinct and reproducible that it was possible not only to identify L-forms at the genus level (group with streptococci) and different Mycoplasma serotypes but also to differentiate between the two of them. The parentage of L-forms of Streptobacillus moniliformis L1, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus MG, and Staphylococcus aureus Smith strain was established by relating their gel patterns directly to parent bacteria. It was found that an L-form designated S. moniliformis An (ATCC 14220) was actually an L-form of Proteus. In addition, it was shown electrophoretically that no relationship existed between the Streptococcus MG L-form and M. pneumoniae. The applicability of this method as a diagnostic and taxonomic tool for the differentiation of L-forms and mycoplasmas is discussed.

Deoxyribonucleic acid base compositions of selected mycoplasmas and L-phase variants.

Deoxyribonucleic acid base compositions were determined for 25 Mycoplasma strains and 6 L-phase variant strains. Values obtained correlated well with the results of other investigators.

Modified biochemical tests for characterization of L-phase variants of bacteria.

Biochemical capabilities of bacterial and L-phase organisms of 15 bacterial strains were examined by using a variety of modified routine diagnostic biochemical tests. The results demonstrated that 13 of the tests examined were suitable for use with L-phase variants, that L-phase variants and revertant bacterial phase organisms retained diagnostically significant capabilities of the respective bacterial or L-phase organisms from which they were derived, and that the 13 biochemical tests could be usefully employed to relate a given L-phase variant to a given bacterial phase organism, to distinguish L-phase variants of different species, and to aid in the identification of nonreverting L-phase variants.