The cultivation of Bact. abortus Bang

Abstract

Many methods have been described for the cultivation of Bact. abortus Bang. Following the original work with this organism by Bang and Stribolt in 1897, several investigators have described methods for the cultivation of this germ. Those which are most frequently mentioned, and used are those of Nowak, Holth, Priez, and Fabyan. Recently (1921) Stafseth and Huddle-son have described culture media and methods of growing Bact. abortus which differ from those already in use. The former recommends a media prepared from liver and spleen. He states that “strains of the abortion bacillus have been isolated more easily by the aid of these media.” A glass jar from which the air was partially exhausted by a suction pump, was used in which to grow the cultures. Huddleson emphasizes the importance of an increased carbon dioxide-tension for growing Bact. abortus Bang. His conclusions are as follows: “There is sufficient proof that:” (1) The growth of Bact. abortus is not due to a reduced oxygen tension. “(2) A carbon-dioxide tension greater than that of the air governs and greatly facilitates the primary growth of Bact. abortus.” (3) An atmosphere containing (by volume) 10 per cent. of CO₂ gas appears to produce the earliest and most luxuriant growth of Bact. abortus. Huddleson recommends the use of a generator containing calcium carbonate to which hydrochloride acid is added as a source of the CO₂.

We have been working with Bact. abortus for many years and have experienced the same difficulty of isolating the organism as described by other authors. All the mentioned methods have been used with more or less success. The abortion germ usually grows with great difficulty in the cultures made from the original infected material as the stomach contents of an aborted fetus.