Author: Glossary

The active components (antibody) of an immune serum which, combined with complement, result in the death of the homologous bacterium (and in the case of bacteriolysin, its destruction). The antibody is thought to sensitize the organisms, rendering them susceptible to the lethal action of complement.  

An antibiotic isolated from B. subtilis, active against Gram-positive bacteria and Neisserieae. Used to differentiate Group A streptococci (which are sensitive to it) from all other groups, which are not. An antibiotic produced by certain strains of bacteria and effective against a number of microorganisms. It is usually applied externally, to treat infections of the…

Non-pathogenic aerobic Gram-positive spore-bearing organism with an unusually high incubation temperature (45 – 60tl)—i.e., a thermophile. The spores are killed when subject to a temperature of 121°C for 12 minutes, and sporing cultures may be used for tests of autoclave efficiency. Bacillus stearothermophilus is responsible for ‘flat – sour’ spoilage of canned foods. A spore…

Non-pathogenic spore-bearing soil organism, of interest as the source of the antibiotics collectively styled polymyxins.  

Synonymous with Lactobacillus odontolyticus.  

Saprophytic aerobic Gram-positive bacillus, short and with rounded ends.  

Saprophytic spore-bearing bacterium possessing many of the characteristics of B. anthracis, but distinguishable from it by being motile.  

Causative organism of anthrax, an acute septicaemic infection of sheep and other animals, transmissable to man. Non-motile, capsulated, straight aerobic spore bearing bacterium 4-8×1- IViiim in size. Gram-positive and peculiarly rectangular in shape. Blood films from infected animals, stained with polychrome methylene blue, show teeming masses of the bacilli, and between them purplish amorphous material…