Certain Properties of Bacterial Mucus

Abstract

Summary

In the cultures of numerous bacteria, and particularly in recently isolated strains, masses of fine filaments are present which are seen only in preparations stained with flagella stains. In stringy broth cultures similar filamentous structures are present. The capsule is frequently seen to consiit of a thick agglomeration of these filaments around the bacteria III certain subtilis cultures the mucoid substance which consists largely of these filaments shows phenomena suggesting that it is capable of growth independently from the bacteria.

Notes on the staining methods: The filaments could be stained with all flagellar staining methods tried. The following technique gave most constantly satisfactory results. The agar or broth cultures are spread 011 a cover slip unti11 the help of a small drop of water without being previously suspended or diluted and quickly dried. It is sometimes helpiul to extract the preparation after drying with distilled water. For a mordant, Loeffler's solution is used (prepared a few weeks previously) and is applied for 2 to 3 minutes without heating. The preparation is then silvered with aethylamin silver solution. Not a11 samples of the mordant give satisfactory results.